14 March 2023 , 18:15
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Patrick Mahomes will have a new left tackle this season after Kansas City Chiefs moved on from Orlando Brown Jr, in what could be an offense-changing move.
Just two years ago, the Chiefs gave up first and second-round picks to acquire Brown from the Baltimore Ravens, who performed at an above-average level during that time. But instead of re-signing him, the Chiefs have instead signed Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor to a huge extension, giving him a four-year, $80 million deal.
A second-round pick from the 2019 draft, Taylor has not truly lived up to expectations, playing at an average level with the Jaguars.
But he is the profile of player that teams love to acquire - an athletic, young player who many believe they can mould into one of the better at the position.
Taylor reportedly had a huge market, which meant the Chiefs made him one of the highest-paid tackles in the league, to replace Brown. And some think that he will be an upgrade over Brown, who helped the Chiefs win a Super Bowl last season.
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Good Morning Football's Shaun O'Hara said: "Jawaan Taylor will probably play left tackle to replace Orlando Brown Jr and I think that is a huge upgrade for the Chiefs athletically - Taylor is much more athletic. You will see him pull and make plays. Brown had a rough year last year - he gave up a lot of pressures. Taylor will upgrade them there, too."
Patrick Mahomes will need Taylor to improve their o-lineIt was soon reported after the signing that the Chiefs will not re-sign Brown, who himself could make as much as Taylor. The Chiefs are also in the market for a right tackle, opposite to Taylor, after the Washington Commanders signed Andrew Wylie from them.
The left tackle has been one of the coveted positions since 1985, when Washington quarterback Joe Theismann suffered a career-ending injury when he did not see Lawrence Taylor rushing from his blindside.
As the left tackle, their position essentially protects the quarterback's blindside, with right-handed throwers shifting their body to the right to throw.
The highest-paid linemen in the league tend to play the position, with even subpar left tackles regularly being paid much more than even the best running backs in the league.