Arrowhead Alert: Chiefs sign former 49ers Left Tackle
The Kansas City Chiefs have officially signed free agent left tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year contract valued at $30 million. Moore, 27, aspires to serve as the long-term blindside protector.
On the initial day of the tampering period, the Kansas City Chiefs secured left tackle Jaylon Moore on a two-year contract valued at $30 million, with $22 million guaranteed. The Chiefs experienced a challenging season last year, utilizing four starting tackles, and have identified Moore as a player who is expected to adapt swiftly to their system. Moore has played all four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, primarily serving in a backup capacity.
Jaylon Moore has participated in 55 games, with 12 of those as a starter. In 2024, he played in 15 games, starting in 5. He was drafted by the 49ers in 2021 in the fifth round, following his collegiate career at Western Michigan. The left tackle position was a notable challenge for the Chiefs last season. Initially, the team started rookie Kingsley Suamataia for the first two games before he was replaced by Wanya Morris.
Later in the season, Morris was benched in favor of veteran D.J. Humphries, who eventually had to come out due to injury and was subsequently replaced by Thuney. Thuney was traded to the Bears last week, prompting the Chiefs to secure Moore early to address the critical need for a left tackle.
The projected starting offensive line consists of Moore at left tackle, Suamataia at left guard, Creed at center, Smith at right guard, and Taylor at right tackle. Both the Chiefs organization and various media sources have expressed optimism about Kingsley transitioning to left guard due to his strong performance at left tackle during last offseason's camp. Recently, there has been a trend of players who have faced challenges at tackle moving to guard, as this position offers more confined space to operate, potentially aiding in the restoration of their confidence. A notable example is Super Bowl Champion Mekhi Becton, who began his career as a left tackle with the New York Jets before being traded to Philadelphia, where he was able to regain his confidence. Additionally, Jaylon Moore, at just 27 years old, has considerable potential, having previously played alongside one of the league's top left tackles, Trent Williams.
The Kansas City Chiefs have officially signed former San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell to a one-year contract valued at $3.5 million. Mitchell, who entered the league as a sixth-round draft pick and the second running back selected in the 2021 NFL Draft by the 49ers, distinguished himself as the team’s leading running back during his rookie season. In 2021, he recorded 963 rushing yards and five touchdowns, contributing significantly to the 49ers' advancement to the NFC Conference Championship game. Over his four seasons in the NFL, Mitchell has experienced challenges with injuries, never participating in more than 11 regular-season games and missing the entire 2024 season due to a hamstring injury. This acquisition mirrors the Chiefs' previous signing of former running back Jerick McKinnon, who, despite facing injury struggles in past seasons, proved to be an invaluable asset during critical moments in a dual-back system.
