It seems the Orlando Brown era with the Kansas City Chiefs is truly over after the team made a major move for another big-ticket offensive tackle in NFL free agency on Monday.
Following their Super Bowl LVII win in February, the focus for the Chiefs is now to try and maintain their championship level of play. Heading into the offseason, there was an assumption that one of the first moves the team would make was to slap a franchise tag on four-time Pro Bowler Orlando Brown.
Surprisingly, the team decided not to use their tag and allowed Brown to hit free agency. While some speculated the Kansas City Chiefs could re-sign him to a high-end long-term deal, that is definitely not going to be happening now.
Related: NFL free agent tracker 2023
On Monday afternoon, NFL Network reported that the Chiefs handed out a big-time contract to an offensive tackle this week, but it wasn’t to Orlando Brown, but instead to Jacksonville Jaguars veteran Jawaan Taylor.
The deal is reportedly for four years and worth as much as $80 million. The contract will also come with a $60 million guaranteed,
Kansas City Chiefs record: 14-3, Super Bowl Champion
While the news may disappoint some Kansas City Chiefs fans, the move is quite understandable for the organization. To be a dynasty team like the Chiefs are, you have to make some tough decisions and find replacements for players that become a little too expensive. Brown is reportedly looking to be paid like the elite tackle he is, which would be an annual pay rate of around $23 million.
Taylor will come a little cheaper and is a player on the rise. As Pro Football Focus recently explained his big season in 2022: “[Taylor] He allowed pressure on just 2.5% of dropbacks, the third-lowest mark among tackles in the NFL. Taylor’s 76.7 pass-blocking grade on true pass sets still ranked 14th among tackles and his 5.2% pressure rate allowed was a top-10 mark.”