Offensive line issues continue to be a concern for the Kansas City Chiefs. This time, however, the problems are coming from the right side. More specifically, with starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor.
The Florida product made the news for the wrong reasons again in the season opener. His never-ending issues with penalties infuriated fans, coaches, and teammates alike to the point where Travis Kelce even got in his face midway through the game.
That's why Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy put him on notice. Addressing the media on Thursday, Nagy let Taylor know that he's going to be held accountable if he doesn't clean up his act soon.
Jawaan Taylor's Problems Have to Stop, per Matt Nagy
“Yeah, well, speaking to the obvious, the penalties can’t happen,” Nagy said. “It’s something that, especially in a moment like that, in that game, when things are a little bit off kilter now with the personnel, and you start to move the ball, you have a couple of positive plays, and then boom, a penalty or a second penalty. So, three penalties and a hold, not good enough. He knows that. There’s no one hiding from it, he’s not hiding from it. He understands what’s expected, and I think he’s ready for that challenge here as we go. It's got to stop.”
Unfortunately, this isn't the first time that Taylor's penalties have held the team back. He led the league in that regard in 2023 with 20 flags, and he added 16 more last season.
He cost the team 30 yards with two holding penalties and two false starts in the season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs had a tough time moving the chains without Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice, and these miscommunication issues didn't do much to help their case.
The Chiefs Need to Play Jaylon Moore
With Josh Simmons seemingly holding onto the left tackle spot for the long run, Andy Reid might have to turn to one of their offseason additions to put his offense in a position to succeed going forward.
They signed four-year veteran Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million contract in the offseason. He's been a backup for most of his career, but with the way Taylor has performed, giving him some work on the right side of the line might not be the worst idea.
Of course, there's also a financial factor in the equation, since Taylor's $20 million salary is fully guaranteed for the season. Still, this team won't have much margin for error in the Super Bowl rematch vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, and they must pull the plug on him if these woes come back to haunt them.