Matt Nagy has seen enough.
The Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator issued a strong message to right tackle Jawaan Taylor for his ongoing penalty woes ahead of their Super Bowl rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Taylor took four penalties — two holding infractions and a pair of false starts — while playing all 61 offensive snaps in the Chiefs’ 27-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Chiefs are trying to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2014, which was Andy Reid’s second year as Kansas City head coach.
What Did Matt Nagy Say About Jawaan Taylor’s Penalties?
Taylor already has been one of the most penalized offensive linemen on the Chiefs and has been since he came from the Jacksonville Jaguars before the 2023 NFL season.
Taylor had 30 penalties in two years entering this season and has almost as many accepted penalties against him as a member of the Chiefs (34) as he did in four seasons with Jacksonville (38).
So even though there are acceptable times to take penalties — to avoid quarterback Patrick Mahomes getting hit — the two false starts and timing of his holding penalties irked Nagy, who hinted that Taylor may be playing for his starting job against the Eagles.
“That can’t happen,” Nagy said. “We’ve made it loud and clear. Jawaan knows that. He understands it. It’s something that, especially in a moment like that in that game, when things are a little bit off kilter — with the personnel and you start to move the ball and finally have some positive plays and then boom a penalty sets you back.”
Twice, Taylor committed penalties that stunted scoring drives. A holding penalty, the play after KC converted 4th and 1 at the LA 26-yard line then a false start right before Harrison Butker’s 59-yard field just before halftime, caused them to kick field goals instead of potentially scoring touchdowns in their six-point loss Friday.
Due in part to his high number of penalties, Taylor earned just a 49.5 overall grade, which ranked 69th among 81 qualifying tackles in Week 1. He earned just a 43.5 run-blocking grade, which was 73rd.
“Not good enough,” Nagy said. “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 as we go.”
Can Jawaan Taylor Stop Committing Penalties?
Taylor has his work cut out for him this weekend, going against the Eagles dominant, game-wrecking defensive line, especially since Jalen Carter avoided a suspension for his spit heard ’round the world on Dak Prescott before the first play from scrimmage in the Eagles’ 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Taylor has committed three penalties as a member of the Chiefs in two previous games against the Eagles, including a holding call in the third quarter of Super Bowl LIX.
Taylor’s assignment may get even tougher too this weekend after the Eagles signed Za’Darius Smith to join Carter, Nolan Smith and a front four that had eight sacks and 14 quarterback hits in Philadelphia’s 40-22 win in the Super Bowl in February.
