The Kansas City Chiefs are set to part ways with right tackle, Jawaan Taylor at the start of the new league year next week in a move that surprised very few people.

Beyond that, the Chiefs will be about as optimistic on the state of the offensive line as they have been since the 2023 season, with Jaylon Moore set to take Taylor’s spot on the right hand bookend after impressing whilst seeing limited playing time in 2026.

But Kansas City have decided to not keep around another former starter on the line, guard Mike Caliendo, after Jeremy Fowler reported that the team declined to pick up his restricted tender on Saturday.

Chiefs Decline Mike Caliendo’s RFA Tender
“The Chiefs do not plan to pick up offensive guard Mike Caliendo’s restricted tender, per source. He will be a free agent. Has seven starts over three seasons with Kansas City.” Fowler reported.

Caliendo has had an up-and-down stint in KC since coming in as an undrafted free agent in 2022, to say the least.

The former Western Michigan man has managed 7 regular season starts and three playoff starts – including in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles just over a year ago – since being promoted to the active roster from the practice squad for the 2023 season.

And his performances over that time have been questionable. Caliendo produced a poor display in the Big Game as Patrick Mahomes got sacked six times by the Eagles defense. And whilst many thought his very bad run of form in the 2024 playoffs would see the end of his time in Missouri, the team decided to tender him as an exclusive rights free agent last offseason.

His performances were marginally better in his four starts in 2025, managing an improved 54.7 grade from PFF, which still ranked him only in the 28th percentile of guards around the NFL (59th out of 81). But it appears that head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach have seen enough of the 28-year old.

What Will the Chiefs’ Offensive Line Look Like in 2026?
Josh Simmons will once again take up the left tackle position after a promising rookie season with the organization, whilst guard Kingsley Suamataia took strides in year two after a difficult debut season in 2024 that saw him ride the bench for much of the second half of the year, including the playoffs.

Barring any major moves, Pro Bowl and All-Pro interior offensive linemen Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey will remain at center and the other guard spot, whilst Moore is the most likely candidate to fill in at right tackle in place of Taylor.

The Chiefs also have undrafted free agent tackle out of Washington State Esa Pole, who performed excellently down the stretch, filling in for the injured Simmons – who could also be a dark horse to fill Taylor’s shoes at RT in year two.