Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Dealt Bad News on Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Mar 4, 2026 3:26 PM ET

Patrick Mahomes saw his ninth season with the Kansas City Chiefs end early in 2025, watching as his team lost its final six games of the year and finished with a 6-11 record, missing the playoffs entirely. To make matters worse, Mahomes was also forced to miss the Chiefs' final three games of the season after tearing his ACL, putting the start of his 2026 NFL season in jeopardy.

While Kansas City may not have had the best 2025 NFL season, the same can not be said for Mahomes. In the 14 games he played, the former Texas Tech quarterback completed 315-of-502 passes for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, remaining one of the best players in the league. But when Mahomes does return for the 2026 season, he will be without a key piece of his offensive line.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Jawaan Taylor, after spending three seasons playing college football with the Florida Gators, was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 35 pick in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In his four seasons with the Jaguars, he proved to be a key piece, starting nearly every game at right tackle while earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors.

But ahead of the 2023 NFL season, Taylor took his talents to Kansas City, signing a four-year, $80 million deal with the Chiefs. He spent the last three years as Mahomes' starting right tackle, helping Kansas City win its third Super Bowl of the recent dynasty. And while Taylor has had some issues with penalties, the lineman has been effective at protecting Mahomes, allowing just a 0.4% sack rate at one point in 2025.

But on Wednesday, despite Taylor having one season left on his contract, the Chiefs decided it was time for a change, finalizing the release of Taylor and leaving Mahomes without a starting right tackle, for now.

"Chiefs now have informed Jawaan Taylor that he will be released today and he then he will become a free agent," ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote on X.

Chiefs now have informed Jawaan Taylor that he will be released today and he then he will become a free agent. https://t.co/nNi57rcWbI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2026

The Chiefs will potentially begin the search for a new right tackle for Mahomes when free agency begins on March 11. Then, they will be selecting with the No. 9 pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, which begins April 23.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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