Bears free agent target Jawaan Taylor signs with Chiefs

Cross another top offensive tackle off your free agency wish list, Chicago Bears fans.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars right tackle Jawaan Taylor, considered by some to be the most appealing offensive tackle in free agency because of his age and ascending trajectory, agreed to a four-year, $80 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Former Jaguars’ OT Jawaan Taylor reached agreement on a four-year, $80 million deal, including $60M gtd, with the KC Chiefs, per sources. Deal negotiated and confirmed by Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey. pic.twitter.com/jm0XYJUtTy

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023

The Bears’ need at right tackle and desire to build a young foundation to build upon made Taylor a logical target, but as GM Ryan Poles made clear in the days leading up to free agency, he isn’t going to spend money just to spend it.

Taylor’s contract is massive and feels like an overpay at $20 million per season. Jawaan Taylor’s projected market value was just $14 million per year, according to Spotrac, before free agency kicked off.

The Chicago Bears also lost out on Mike McGlinchey, the former San Francisco 49ers right tackle who signed with the Denver Broncos earlier Monday. There were reports that Chicago was negotiating with McGlinchey before he agreed with Denver, which suggests offensive tackle is a position Poles is targeting.

That leaves Orlando Brown Jr. (Kansas City Chiefs) and Kaleb McGary (Atlanta Falcons) as the two big-ticket offensive tackles remaining on the market.