The Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason acquisition of offensive tackle Jaylon Moore has quickly become a topic of debate among fans, analysts, and NFL executives. Signed to a two-year, $30 million contract after four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Moore’s limited starting experience and the hefty price tag have raised questions about the team’s strategy to bolster their offensive line….
The Kansas City Chiefs’ decision to sign offensive tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million contract has ignited a firestorm of debate among fans, analysts, and NFL executives alike. While the move was intended to bolster the team’s offensive line, particularly to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes, it has instead raised questions about the Chiefs’ strategy and the wisdom of investing heavily in a player with limited starting experience.
Moore, a fifth-round pick from Western Michigan, spent four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, primarily serving as a backup to All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams. During his tenure, he started just 12 games, with five of those starts occurring in the 2024 season. Despite his limited starting experience, Moore posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 74.9, ranking 25th among qualified tackles. However, many analysts argue that these numbers are inflated by the 49ers’ run-heavy offensive scheme and Moore’s role behind a future Hall of Famer. Critics contend that Moore’s performance in a more pass-heavy system, like the Chiefs’, remains unproven.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach defended the signing, emphasizing Moore’s athleticism and the potential benefits of his development under Williams. “We want to get some stability there at the left tackle position,” Veach stated. “Moore is a guy that, I think, the only downside was just the lack of starts during his career. Now, when you consider the fact that he played behind a first-ballot Hall of Fame player in Trent Williams, you can see why.” Head coach Andy Reid echoed these sentiments, highlighting Moore’s potential as a valuable addition to the offensive line. “He was a good football player there, when he had opportunities there in San Francisco, he was a good player,” Reid said. “We thought he would be a nice addition to our offensive line.”(forbes.com, athlonsports.com)
Despite the Chiefs’ optimism, the signing has faced significant criticism. Many analysts view the $15 million annual salary as excessive for a player with Moore’s limited starting experience. Some have labeled the move as one of the offseason’s worst, questioning the wisdom of investing heavily in a player with such limited exposure to starting roles. Additionally, the Chiefs’ decision to draft offensive tackle Josh Simmons in the first round further complicates the situation, leading some to question the team’s confidence in Moore’s ability to secure the starting left tackle position.(arrowheadpride.com)
Adding to the scrutiny, some NFL executives have expressed skepticism about the Chiefs’ decision. One executive cited Moore’s durability issues and lack of experience as significant concerns, stating, “Jaylon Moore has had durability issues, he has never been a front-line player and he’s been protected in a system that is not dropback-heavy, so I do not love that move.” Another executive, however, viewed the signing as a low-risk, high-reward move, noting that if Moore doesn’t pan out, he could serve as an overpaid swing tackle, which is not a terrible outcome compared to other more expensive signings around the league.(atozsports.com)
Despite the criticism, Moore remains optimistic about his potential impact with the Chiefs. “I know it’s a small sample size, but I just go out there and play ball the way I know how,” Moore said, expressing confidence in his abilities. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but emphasized his readiness to contribute to the team’s success.
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Moore to see if he can live up to the expectations set by his contract and prove that the Chiefs’ gamble was a wise one. The team’s success in the upcoming season may hinge on Moore’s ability to adapt to a new system and perform at a high level, making this signing one of the most closely watched developments in the NFL this year.
