The Kansas City Chiefs knew something had to change. After watching Patrick Mahomes take a season’s worth of hits-including 47 sacks by year’s end-the front office made it clear: protecting No. 15 was at the top of the offseason to-do list.Their solution? A bold swing on a player many fans might not know: former 49ers backup left tackle Jaylon Moore. Kansas City signed the 26-year-old to a two-year, $30 million deal-a move that drew mixed reactions. Some analysts see promise. Others, like NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger, called it a “band-aid.”
Patrick Mahomes getting rowdy at a party with Travis Kelce goes viral in resurfaced videoBut there’s someone in the Chiefs locker room who knows Moore well-and he’s not worried. Running back Elijah Mitchell, who also signed with Kansas City this offseason, says Moore might be exactly what the Chiefs need.”Jaylon’s a sleeper,” Mitchell said. “He was behind one of the best tackles in the game, but he’s ready. Mahomes is going to love him.”
Moore spent four seasons behind All-Pro Trent Williams in San Francisco, picking up 12 career starts but a lot more experience than the stat sheet shows. Now, he’s stepping into one of the league’s most high-pressure roles: protecting the blindside of a generational quarterback.
A new chapter for Mahomes’ protection crew
Mahomes, who took more hits last season than any other in his career, enters 2025 with a slightly reshuffled offensive line-and higher expectations.Thank you for watchingESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Chiefs were looking for a “plug-and-play guy with upside” and Moore checks that box.
He may not be the marquee name fans were hoping for, but Mitchell believes Moore brings consistency, grit, and locker-room chemistry to the huddle.And chemistry might be just as valuable as experience when you’re anchoring a line in Kansas City.
Mitchell, a versatile weapon out of the backfield, could also play a role in helping keep Mahomes upright-both as a runner and a pass-catcher. The two former Niners are now part of the same mission: keep No. 15 clean and get back to the Super Bowl.For Moore, it’s a fresh start. For the Chiefs, it’s a calculated risk. But in an offense that’s always evolving, sometimes a new face is exactly what sparks the next chapter.