Falcons agree to 1-year deal with former Chiefs RT Jawaan Taylor as possible McGary replacement

Atlanta Falcons have bolstered their offensive line by agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with former Kansas City Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor, the team confirmed. The deal is worth a base value of $5 million and can rise to $6 million through an additional $1 million in performance-based incentives, according to ESPN, which first reported the agreement.

Taylor, who spent the past season protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blind side in Kansas City, now becomes the presumptive front-runner to replace Kaleb McGary at right tackle in Atlanta. The 26-year-old’s arrival gives the Falcons an experienced option on the edge and adds immediate competition to a unit looking to solidify quarterback protection ahead of the upcoming season.

Because the contract is structured for a single season, both parties maintain flexibility: Atlanta can evaluate Taylor’s fit within its scheme, while the veteran lineman has an opportunity to re-establish his market value in 2025. The Falcons have not disclosed how Taylor will be deployed, but his résumé as a full-time starter suggests he will be given every chance to secure the starting role during training camp.

Atlanta’s front office has prioritized reinforcing the trenches this offseason, and the swift pursuit of Taylor underscores the franchise’s urgency to keep its quarterback upright. With organized team activities on the horizon, all eyes will be on how quickly the ex-Chief acclimates to his new surroundings and whether he can cement himself as the long-term solution on the right edge.