Dave Toub has built a reputation on excellence. His special teams units have often been a well-oiled machine, a reliable constant in the Chiefs' championship formula. But as William Shakespeare wrote in his Sonnet 18, "Every fair from fair sometime declines." Right now, the Chiefs fans feel the same way. The Chiefs are winning, but a concerning trend is emerging quickly.
The trend turned into noise during the Week 8 win over Washington. The final score was comfortable. The performance? As messy as it gets. The Chiefs’ special teams committed multiple costly penalties. And it wasn't a fluke. In fact, it's becoming a really bad habit. The current lack of discipline seems glaring for the Chiefs unit.
The Fall of Kansas City Chiefs' Special Teams
The flags were flying on Monday night. A holding call on Jack Cochrane wiped out a solid punt return. Later, Christian Roland-Wallace committed another holding penalty. These infractions repeatedly set the offense back with long fields. Now, these mistakes can be easily brushed aside in a 21-point win. But against elite opponents, they become the difference between a win and a plane ride home. And this problem has already cost them once.
The Week 5 loss in Jacksonville. The Chiefs were flagged 13 times. Yes, 13 times in a single game. Special teams owned a significant chunk of that disaster. Two Cochrane holding penalties erased long Brashard Smith returns. Then, Harrison Butker’s kickoff sailed out of bounds, gifting the Jaguars prime field position for their game-winning drive. Dave Toub himself acknowledged the cost after the game, “Every one of them was costly, and we know it.”
The frustration is growing immensely among the fanbase. Once unquestioned, Toub is now facing scathing scrutiny.
A Call for Dave Toub to Act
One fan posted, "Dave Toub has got to get his unit in order. They commit a penalty EVERY SINGLE TIME they get a good return. That’s unacceptable." Another simply asked, "What does Dave Toub do," reflecting a growing confusion.
A more critical supporter called it a "Dave Toub disasterclass," while another lamented, "They have to be the worst coverage unit in the league." Meanwhile, a calmer voice suggested, "Uncle Dave needs to tighten the screws," implying the faith is still there, but patience is thinning. And this isn't an overreaction.
The Chiefs committed a total of 47 penalties this season. Andy Reid has already addressed the issue in the press conference after the Jaguars game. “Whether I agree with them or don’t agree with them, it doesn’t matter. They called them,” he bluntly stated. The message from the top is clear... clean it up. The responsibility for the special teams' facet of that falls squarely on one man.
Dave Toub is too good a coach to let this slide. The solutions likely lie in simplified assignments and sharper focus in practice. Above all, it lies in holding every player accountable. Even if he is Harrison Butker. The talent is there. The coaching expertise is proven. But the time for correction is now, with a brutal stretch of games looming.
The Chiefs possess a championship-caliber defense. Its offense is finding its rhythm. They cannot afford to have a leaky third phase sink their title hopes. The trust built over years can erode quickly if fundamental mistakes persist. Dave Toub must get his unit back to its fundamental, disciplined roots. Because the margin for error is zero from now on.