The Atlanta Falcons announced on Apr. 10 that they have signed free agent offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor.
Taylor, who was drafted in the second round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, has started 111 games over seven seasons. He spent four years with Jacksonville before joining the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in 2023. During his first year with Kansas City, the team won the Super Bowl and returned to the championship game again in 2024.
The move comes after right tackle Kaleb McGary retired from football this week. McGary had been a consistent starter for Atlanta since being selected in the first round of the 2019 draft but missed last season due to a knee injury sustained during training camp. Reserve swing tackle Storm Norton also missed last season because of injury, leaving Elijah Wilkinson to fill in at right tackle.
Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham said he is focused on building strength along both lines of scrimmage and noted that Taylor brings significant experience at right tackle, including three playoff seasons. The Falcons’ offensive line will also have a new position coach this year, Bill Callahan.
Last season, Atlanta ranked eighth in rushing offense and allowed only 26 sacks—the fourth-fewest among all teams. With left-handed quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa competing for the starting job, protecting their blind side will be important for Taylor’s role on offense.
The Falcons are based in Atlanta, Georgia according to their official website. The team competes in the National Football League’s NFC South division according to their official website and began as an expansion franchise in 1965 according to their official website. They reached the Super Bowl twice—in 1998 and again in 2016—and advanced both times according to their official website. Freddie the Falcon serves as team mascot according to their official website.