Earlier this offseason, ex-Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham was handed the keys to run the Atlanta Falcons as their general manager.
Cunningham has had a busy start to his tenure in Atlanta, signing multiple free agents in hopes of getting the Falcons on the same level as the Bears, who won the NFC North thanks to strong play on the offensive line. The ex-Bears front office exec is already facing a glaring issue on the offensive line in his short time in Atlanta. On Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that starting right tackle Kaleb McGary has announced his retirement from the NFL.
The 31-year-old McGary spent six seasons in the NFL, starting in 92 games for the Falcons. However, he missed this past season, thanks to a knee injury sustained in training camp.
This wasn’t the news that the former Chicago assistant general manager was expecting this close to the NFL draft. Atlanta has five picks in the draft and won’t make their first selection until the second round.
To his credit, Cunningham didn't waste time filling McGary's void, signing former Kansas City Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor to a one-year contract, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The NFL insider adds that Taylor's new deal has a base value of $5M and includes $1M in possible incentives.
While the move to pivot to Taylor was a quick one, it doesn't come without risk. He was available on the open market for a reason, the Kansas City Chiefs had lost belief in his ability to get the job done.
Ian Cunningham Taking Huge Risk with Jawaan Taylor Signing
Last offseason, Cunningham watched Bears GM Ryan Poles retool the offensive line with an FA signing (Drew Dalman) and two trades (Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney). Those moves immediately paid off, as the Bears’ offense quickly improved and the results showed in the box score and on the stat sheet.
Luckily for Cunningham, he doesn’t have to reshuffle the Falcons’ offensive line, as they have their starters locked in across the board, and now at right tackle. However, Taylor is nowhere near the same level as Thuney or Jackson.
The Chiefs released Taylor before the start of free agency last month after three less-than-stellar seasons in Kansas City. Taylor struggled with penalties throughout his tenure with the Chiefs. He was tagged for 40 penalties in 45 games, which is unfathomable.
Last season, Taylor had 10 penalties, including four for holding. And if that wasn't bad enough, Taylor had a 67.3 pass-blocking grade and a 43.8 run-blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus. He also allowed 20 pressures and 3.0 sacks across 517 pass-blocking snaps.
This is a rather bold move by Cunningham, hitching his wagon to Taylor, whose play hasn't been great lately. And it doesn't help that Atlanta's QB situation is shaky at best, with Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. serving as the top options under center.
Cunningham is likely hoping for the best with Taylor, as he saw up close what a good offensive line can do for your offense last season. It not only keeps your quarterback upright, but also helps open up your rushing attack. There’s no reason why the Falcons can’t be like the Bears with their talented RB duo of Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson.
But in the meantime, Cunningham should still look to draft someone later this month and bring in a UDFA or two because depending on Taylor for more than one season is a risky bet.