The ongoing controversy surrounding Kansas City Chiefs starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor’s blocking positioning on the offensive line may have hit a breaking point on Sunday. The dominant victory over the Chicago Bears appeared perfect, but there was still a blemish regarding Taylor being penalized again for the same infraction as the first two weeks.
Taylor continues to be watched closely by officials and was penalized during a potential first-half touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The nullified highlight touchdown irked head coach Andy Reid as he immediately defended his veteran offensive tackle during the post-game press conference.
“I checked out all the looks that our right tackle got called on today, and you know, I’m seeing it on both sides of the ball,” Reid explained. “I’m seeing it within our lifetime, and you might be being picked on just a little bit here. I thought they did a good job the week before, but today I thought it was too much. I mean, I wasn’t seeing it, but you know, still, we got to keep working on that and get through this.”
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes echoed Reid’s frustrations with the officials as he responded in his presser shortly afterward.
“Yeah, it’s wild to me,” Mahomes said. “I mean, when you go back and look at the tablet, and they’re both in the exact same spot, I don’t understand it. It’s hard; he’s playing great football, and he’s getting these penalties thrown on him. I know it’s hard to officiate.
“But I watched a lot of tape. And he’s no deeper than any other tackle in the league. I mean, there’s other guys that are even further back than he is. So it’s crazy to see, and hopefully, it kind of calms down as the season goes on. But I mean, he’s making adjustments, and it seems like even with his adjustments, they’re not good enough. I guess.”
Taylor has been penalized in each game this season as the Chiefs return to the national spotlight next Sunday night against the New York Jets.