Sep 10, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of the End Racism slogan painted at one end zone on the field before the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
By Sam Neumann on

ESPN had some serious shoes to fill when Adam Teicher stepped away.

Teicher, a fixture of ESPN’s NFL Nation since 2013 — and the man whose retirement was honored with a legendary Andy Reid-sponsored cheeseburger bar — officially wrote his last story for the Worldwide Leader just weeks ago. ESPN moved quickly to find his replacement.

Just one day after announcing his departure from The Athletic, Nate Taylor was named ESPN’s new Kansas City Chiefs beat writer. Taylor’s exit was part of a broader wave of regional NFL beat writer moves from The Athletic, which has since listed those positions to fill on its jobs page. So, it’s not a sign the outlet is abandoning local coverage, just that Taylor found a new home.

Taylor took to X to share his excitement, calling the job a “magnificent opportunity” and an “incredible blessing” for his family. He also paid a heartfelt tribute to his predecessor.

“I’m extremely grateful to be the journalist who is following Adam Teicher, a legend who has my immense admiration,” wrote Taylor, “a man who has inspired and helped me in more ways than I can ever repay him.”

Taylor had been The Athletic’s primary Chiefs beat writer since 2018 and won the Pro Football Writers of America’s Bob Oates Reporting Award in 2022. He’s a Central Missouri grad with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Before officially signing off from The Athletic, Taylor took a moment to look back on his time there and thank the fans who followed his work.

“Today is my last day with The Athletic,” wrote Taylor. “The last seven years, as the company’s first Chiefs beat writer, have been the most fulfilling in my career. Being part of The Athletic’s rise and having my name and work become synonymous with the company was truly special. An enormous thank you to everyone who has followed my coverage of the Chiefs. My belief is that journalists often don’t say thank you enough to the people they aim to inform. I’m incredibly grateful that subscribers have respected, valued, and appreciated the service I provided. Thank you.”

Teicher’s run was a tough act to follow. But in Kansas City, Nate Taylor already knows the playbook.

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.

View all posts by Sam Neumann