Dave Toub is usually the coach you never have to worry about. His special teams units have been as reliable as it gets. However, this season has been different. Flags are flying, and costly mistakes are piling up. For a coach with Toub’s stellar reputation, it feels like an uncharacteristic slump. Something is clearly off in Kansas City.
The issues were on full display in the Week 8 win over Washington. The victory couldn't mask the recurring problems. Dave Toub addressed the penalties with straightforward honesty.
Harsh Admission from the Man In Charge of Kansas City's Special Teams
Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports shared Toub's statement on X. "It was bad. In the return game, we had three penalties... It's a sign of a young group. We've got to keep working... We've got to learn at the point of attack and when to let off... I'm not mad at the effort the guys are giving... we want to keep that, but at the same time you've got to be smart," he said. This isn't a one-week problem. It's a trend that threatens to derail their momentum.
Penalties from Jack Cochrane and Christian Roland-Wallace crippled field position. These errors are becoming a bad habit. They directly contributed to a Week 5 loss in Jacksonville. And fans are already done with the repeated miscues.
Beating Washington by three scores is one thing. But giving playoff teams like the Buffalo Bills free yards is a recipe for an early postseason exit. It seems more glaring since the offense and defense are finally hitting their stride.
Patrick Mahomes is slinging touchdowns, on the one hand. On the other hand, the defense is creating turnovers. But the special teams' miscues create a frustrating disconnect. Like a baseball team with great hitters whose bullpen keeps blowing leads, the Chiefs are winning despite this unit. Not because of it. And everyone is waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The Dave Toub Dilemma Continues
Toub points to a "young group" that needs to mature. The snap counts from Monday night support this. Key special teams contributors such as Cochrane and Roland-Wallace are deeply embedded in that phase. They played 12 and 11 special teams snaps, respectively. Their learning curve is happening in real time. The effort might be there. But the discipline is not.
This puts Toub in a tough spot. He must coach aggression while teaching restraint. It's a delicate balance. You cannot strip the effort from these players. However, you must install football intelligence. This challenge isn't new for Dave Toub, but the stakes are higher now. The Chiefs are in a tight AFC race where every yard matters.
The schedule offers no favors. A short week leads directly into a crucial showdown in Buffalo. Josh Allen will exploit every inch of field position the Chiefs surrender. A single special teams penalty could ultimately be the difference between a statement win and a costly loss. The pressure is on to rectify this.
Toub’s legacy as a special teams guru is secure. But this season is testing his coaching mettle. He must mold this young group into a disciplined unit before the playoffs. The Chiefs have all the pieces for another championship run. If Kansas City trims the flags, the path to another parade clears. If not, the ride will continue wobbling.