The Kansas City Chiefs haven't been shy with their frustrations surrounding starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor over the last year. It is difficult not to grow infuriated with a capable lineman who does the hard part of his job far better than the simple tasks any non-rookie is expected to remember. Whether it is jumping before the ball snaps, holding, or lining up behind the center's belt line, there is always a stupid penalty awaiting Taylor in what feels like each and every Chiefs game.
Leading to Charles Goldman reporting some understandable comments from Kansas City's offensive line coach, Andy Heck. It is safe to say the coach is beyond frustrated with what has been going on for an already struggling Chiefs' offense.
""Penalties, going backwards, is not good for the football team. The only guy that can fix that is him right there. I've seen him make a conscious effort to do that.""Andy Heck
Heck's comment points out the obvious that this team can no longer help Taylor. The mental mistakes are far beyond coaching at this point, or a strong action from team leaders. The right tackle is in his own head and isn't executing at the level Kansas City's offense needs to turn this season around. Leading many fans to wonder how much longer Taylor is going to be able to stay in the starting lineup.
Chiefs O-Line Coach Points Out Obvious Concerns Surrounding Right Tackle Jawaan Taylor
Goldman further reported that Heck pointed out that if you have a player who fails to execute, there is an ideal response: "If you make a mistake, make it once, let's not come back and make the same mistake again." This is coaching 101 and points out just how basic and frustrating the issues from the tackle continue to be. It grows impossible to defend a player who is hurting an offense that is already dealing with the loss of its best playmaker and attempting to establish a struggling run game.
With this in mind, it wouldn't be a surprise if Kansas City chooses the nuclear option in Week 4 and benches Taylor if the struggles continue. You're paying top-dollar to Jaylon Moore as a backup option. There is plenty of reason to believe the tackle would thrive in a starting role, making his contract appear to be a bargain and taking away the myriad of mental mistakes that the current starting lineup offers.
As frustrating as it might be to admit defeat on Taylor, this is quickly the territory we are approaching based on the awful execution from a veteran player. There simply is no longer a viable excuse for mistakes that Kansas City cannot continue to tolerate.