Atlanta Falcons Sign OT Jawaan Taylor After Kaleb McGary Retirement

The Falcons add veteran offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor to replace the retired Kaleb McGary.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:24pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, fragmented painting depicting the geometric forms and planes of an NFL offensive lineman in motion, with the dominant colors of the Atlanta Falcons' uniform.The Falcons' offensive line undergoes a geometric transformation as the team adds veteran tackle Jawaan Taylor to protect quarterback Matt Ryan.Kansas City Today

The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million after veteran right tackle Kaleb McGary announced his retirement. McGary, a former first-round pick, suffered a brutal left leg injury in training camp last year that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season, likely leading to his decision to step away from the game.

Why it matters

The Falcons needed to quickly address the hole left by McGary's retirement on their offensive line. Taylor, a high second-round pick in 2019, brings starting experience and will help protect the team's quarterback Matt Ryan, who is now the franchise's president of football operations.

The details

Taylor, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound tackle, spent the last three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs after beginning his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He will sign a one-year deal with the Falcons worth a base value of $5 million, with up to an additional $1 million in incentives.

  • Kaleb McGary announced his retirement on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The Falcons signed Jawaan Taylor to replace McGary on the same day, April 8, 2026.

The players

Jawaan Taylor

A veteran offensive tackle who has spent the last three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs after being drafted in the second round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019.

Kaleb McGary

A former first-round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2019 who announced his retirement on April 8, 2026 after suffering a brutal left leg injury in training camp last year that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season.

Matt Ryan

The former quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons who is now the president of football operations for the franchise.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I truly enjoyed my time playing alongside Kaleb. He was an outstanding teammate and had a tremendous career as a Falcon. We are grateful for the impact he made on this organization, and we wish him nothing but the best in retirement.”

— Matt Ryan, President of Football Operations, Atlanta Falcons

What’s next

The Falcons will look to integrate Jawaan Taylor into their offensive line as quickly as possible to help protect quarterback Matt Ryan and open up running lanes for the team's offense.

The takeaway

The retirement of veteran right tackle Kaleb McGary left a significant hole on the Falcons' offensive line, but the team acted quickly to sign Jawaan Taylor, a talented and experienced tackle, to fill that void. This move demonstrates the Falcons' commitment to maintaining a strong offensive line to support their franchise quarterback Matt Ryan as he transitions into the front office.