The Kansas City Chiefs have already begun maneuvering aggressively around the salary cap as they approach free agency and the start of the new league year, restructuring key contracts and releasing veteran contributors to create much-needed financial flexibility.

Their most notable move so far has been restructuring the deal of franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a step that provided significant relief while simultaneously reinforcing the long-term commitment between the team and the most important player in its modern history.

Kansas City also cut defensive end Mike Danna, a reliable rotational lineman whose release signaled that the franchise is prioritizing major structural changes rather than incremental adjustments as it attempts to rebound from an underwhelming 2025 campaign.

Yet even with these decisions, the Chiefs still hold one powerful cap-saving option they have not deployed—the potential release of right tackle Jawaan Taylor, whose contract has quickly become one of the most problematic on the roster.

If Kansas City moves on from Taylor, they would free up $20 million in 2026, giving the organization approximately $14 million in usable cap space that could be redirected toward contract extensions or targeted free-agent acquisitions.

In a hypothetical but increasingly discussed scenario, the Chiefs could use that money to pursue superstar left tackle Trent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers, widely considered one of the greatest offensive linemen of his generation.

Williams’ future in San Francisco appears uncertain, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers and Williams are struggling to reach a contractual compromise with the veteran scheduled to carry a staggering $39 million cap hit in 2026.

Schefter added that if the two sides cannot resolve their standoff, Williams would be expected to hit the free-agent market, immediately becoming one of the most coveted and impactful players available at any position.

If released, Williams would draw interest from multiple contenders, but Kansas City stands out as a legitimate destination given their urgent need for offensive line upgrades and their history of aggressively pursuing elite talent to support Mahomes.

Taylor’s tenure in Kansas City has been a disappointment since the Chiefs signed him in March 2023 to a four-year, $80 million contract designed to elevate their pass protection and stabilize their tackle position following the departure of Orlando Brown Jr..

Taylor arrived as a promising young right tackle from Jacksonville, where he had posted four strong seasons after being selected with the 35th overall pick in 2019, but his transition to Kansas City proved far more challenging than expected.

The Chiefs initially intended to convert Taylor into a left tackle, expecting a smooth transition, yet he struggled significantly on the blind side, allowing pressures at an uncharacteristically high rate and failing to develop consistent technical balance.

He was eventually moved back to right tackle, but his performance did not improve, and the Chiefs found themselves locked into one of the least efficient contracts on the offensive line with no clear on-field upside.

In contrast, Williams represents the opposite end of the performance spectrum—a dominant, All-Pro force even at 37 years old, coming off another elite season in which he started 16 games and anchored one of the NFL’s most physical offensive fronts.

Kansas City could also explore an internal option in Jaylon Moore, who served as the 49ers’ swing tackle before signing a two-year, $30 million deal with the Chiefs in March 2025, but Moore is not viewed as a true long-term starting solution.

In the proposed scenario, Williams would step in as the starting left tackle while former first-round pick Josh Simmons would occupy the right tackle spot, stabilizing both edges of the offensive line with a combination of experience and athletic upside.

Moore, meanwhile, could return to a swing-tackle role or slide inside to guard, potentially replacing Kingsley Suamataia, depending on how the coaching staff evaluates the interior depth entering training camp.

Williams is certainly not a long-term solution as he enters his 17th NFL season with more than 200 career starts, but his short-term impact could be transformative, especially for a Chiefs offense looking to reestablish dominance in both the passing and running game.

Even in limited seasons, Williams has demonstrated the ability to elevate an entire offensive unit through his technique, physicality, and leadership, qualities Kansas City sorely lacked during stretches of the 2025 season when pressure consistently disrupted their offensive rhythm.

Mahomes has long benefited from stable offensive line play, and adding a future Hall of Famer like Williams would dramatically reduce interior and edge pressure, allowing the Chiefs to design deeper route concepts and restore the explosiveness missing last year.

Williams’ elite run-blocking ability would also help Kansas City reestablish efficiency on the ground, opening lanes, improving play-action effectiveness, and helping the team sustain drives without placing overwhelming pressure on Mahomes’ improvisation skills.

Although Williams cannot be viewed as a multi-year foundational piece, his potential arrival aligns with Kansas City’s win-now approach, which has historically prioritized premium veteran talent over long-term developmental experiments.

The Chiefs have consistently upgraded through strategic veteran acquisitions, and adding Williams would mirror earlier moves like signing Joe Thuney or trading for Brown Jr., both of which proved crucial in shoring up weaknesses during championship pushes.

Financially, the structure of a potential Williams deal would likely feature heavy incentives and a manageable cap hit, but Kansas City would still need the necessary space—something only Taylor’s release could fully create.

Releasing Taylor is not a simple decision, as his contract contains dead-cap considerations, but the savings outweigh the drawbacks, especially if the Chiefs identify a premium replacement capable of restoring confidence at the tackle positions.

If Williams becomes available, Kansas City would almost certainly be one of the first organizations to initiate contact, given their competitive window, roster construction, and urgent need to maximize every year of Mahomes’ prime.

The potential pairing of Williams and Simmons would give the Chiefs their most complete tackle duo in years, offering both immediate security and developmental upside that aligns with the team’s evolving offensive blueprint.

For now, Kansas City continues to evaluate every available option, but the possibility of pairing Mahomes with one of the greatest offensive linemen of this generation presents a scenario too beneficial for the franchise to ignore.

Williams’ future remains tied to negotiations in San Francisco, but the moment he becomes available, Kansas City could emerge as one of the most aggressive and compelling bidders in the league.

As free agency approaches, the Chiefs stand at a crucial crossroads—balancing cap strategy, roster upgrades, and long-term planning—with Williams representing the kind of high-impact addition that could redefine their 2026 offensive identity overnight.