The Kansas City Chiefs have notified offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor of their intention to release him prior to the commencement of the new league year, absent a trade, according to sources cited by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Taylor’s departure will free up $20 million in salary cap space for the Chiefs.
This represents the most recent cap-management decision by the Chiefs, who also parted ways with experienced defensive end Mike Danna and revised quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ contract the previous month.
These actions collectively generated savings of nearly $53 million in cap space for Kansas City. The Chiefs are mandated to be below the NFL’s salary cap threshold by March 11, when the new league year commences.
Kansas City began the offseason with a cap deficit exceeding $57 million. Other seasoned players who are potential candidates for release include Drue Tranquill and Noah Gray.
Taylor, aged 28, was in the penultimate year of an $80 million, four-year agreement with the Chiefs. He predominantly served as the primary right tackle during his 45 appearances for Kansas City, but he has also been the player incurring the most penalties in the NFL over that period, with 49 infractions (41 accepted).