Patrick Mahomes watched on as the Kansas City Chiefs finished out the 2025 NFL season on a six-game losing streak, ending with a 6-11 record and missing the playoffs for the first time in the quarterback's career. But Mahomes still played well in 2025, recording 3,587 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. However, a torn ACL in Week 15 cut his ninth season short.
Despite the serious injury, Mahomes is expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 NFL season. However, he will be without one of his key protectors going forward as Kansas City released starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor after three years with the team. And the Chiefs appear to be interested in potentially replacing him with an All-Pro.
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Trent Williams began his NFL career with the Washington Commanders, selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. The former Oklahoma tackle spent his first 10 seasons in the nation's capital, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro nod. But ahead of the 2020 season, Williams was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he has played his best football since, earning four more All-Pro honors.
But entering the third and final season of his three-year, $82.66 million deal, Williams will cost the 49ers nearly $39 million against the cap in 2026. San Francisco is actively trying to restructure Williams' contract to lower that cap hit, but negotiations with the tackle are currently at a standstill. And with no deal imminent, the 49ers are not only entertaining potential trades for Williams but could also release him if no agreement is reached.
According to SportsBoom's Jason La Canfora, many teams are interested in the possibility of signing Williams if he were to be released. However, the Chiefs are reportedly the team that is "most eager" to sign him, which could potentially give Mahomes a replacement for Taylor.
"San Francisco would love nothing more than to retain him, but Williams doesn’t have to agree to anything and is aware that there would definitely be a market for his services if he can’t agree to new terms with San Francisco," La Canfora wrote. "Kansas City is seen by many around the league as the team most eager to land him and the one that would be the best fit."
"The Chiefs have been churning through left tackles in recent years, coach Andy Ried has been comfortable going with stopgaps there in the past (Williams only has a few years left at this stage of his career) and the Chiefs recently released offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor."
NFL free agency will officially open on Wednesday, with the tampering period already underway.
