The Washington Commanders' offensive line was an ongoing frustration under the previous coaching regime. But for all Ron Rivera's faults, he did get a couple of big decisions right.
Resisting the temptation to splash the cash on Jawaan Taylor was one of them.
Washington was crying out for stable edge protection at the time. Charles Leno Jr. was serviceable but limited on the blindside. Things were even worse on the right, which put Taylor high on the list of analysts' projections when speculating about the Commanders' next big play.
That didn't come to fruition. The Commanders leaned on Andrew Wylie's familiarity with then-offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy rather than go for broke with Taylor. He signed for the Kansas City Chiefs, but the big-money move hasn't gone according to plan.
Commanders made the right call by avoiding Jawaan Taylor in free agency
Taylor's struggled to find consistency. His technical flaws are exposed almost constantly. The 17 penalties conceded in 2024 were nothing short of abysmal. Considering he cost the Chiefs a four-year, $80 million contract, they were probably anticipating a lot more.
Lou Scataglia from NFL Spin Zone named Taylor as Kansas City's worst contract entering the 2025 season. The analyst also thought the former Florida standout could be a potential salary-cap cut candidate if significant improvements don't arrive quickly.
I don't know if you heard that, but it's another penalty being called against Jawaan Taylor, the Chiefs $20 million per year right tackle. Taylor has just not been good for KC. According to PFF, he was called for 17 penalties in 2024 and graded out as the 82nd-ranked tackle among 140 qualified players. Kansas City had to part with Joe Thuney this offseason for financial reasons, as they're now wanting to extend guard Trey Smith, and it would not shock me if Taylor was a cap casualty at some point.Lou Scataglia
Wylie hasn't exactly fared much better in Washington. The veteran has better discipline and didn't give up a sack last season. However, he struggled on an island and looked vulnerable against speed rushers. That forced general manager Adam Peters into drastic action.
Improving the protection in front of star quarterback Jayden Daniels was Peters' top priority this offseason. The Commanders traded for Laremy Tunsil, one of the league's most accomplished pass protectors. They also spent the No. 29 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Josh Conerly Jr., who's expected to replace Wylie on the right-hand edge if his early transition goes smoothly.
Wylie will be relegated to competing for an interior role or occupying the swing tackle position previously held by Cornelius Lucas, who joined the Cleveland Browns in free agency. Not exactly what Rivera had in mind, but at least he was a lot cheaper than Taylor.
That's something, at least.
