Andy Reid Doubles Down on Jawaan Taylor Defense

The Kansas City Chiefs' Week 3 win over the Chicago Bears is now a thing of the past, but head coach Andy Reid is still somewhat frustrated with one of the underlying developments of the game.

After drawing five penalties for various infractions in the Chiefs' Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor was flagged twice for an illegal formation violation on Sunday afternoon. One of those calls nullified a 50-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, then quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a minor ankle injury on the very next play. Following the game, Reid took a surprisingly strong stance on the situation:

"I checked out all the looks that our right tackle got called on today, and I'm seeing it on both sides of the ball. He might be being picked on just a little bit here, I felt today. I thought they did a good job the week before but today, I thought it was too much. I wasn't seeing it. Still, we've got to keep working on that and get through this."

Speaking to the media on Monday afternoon, Reid was asked once again about Taylor and how he's being officiated in games. Instead of backing down, Reid stood by his recent comments and added that he's even more confident in his perspective the day after the game. 

"Now that I've had the chance to look at it, I'd even double down more on what I said yesterday," Reid said. "I just think they've got an eye on him, and they better keep an eye on everybody else too. It's to the point of being ridiculous. They've got their point proved now out there to the world, so let's make sure we're staying consistent."  

Reid says he spoke with officials in advance of Sunday's kickoff, although the illegal formation calls around the league are "just not consistent right now" according to him. Per Jason Anderson of Sports Radio 810 WHB in Kansas City, three of four illegal formation penalties called against offensive tackles have gone against Taylor just three weeks into the year. While many tackles are lining up very deep compared to the center, Taylor is one of few offensive linemen getting singled out for his pre-snap alignment.

The 25-year-old's multiple penalties didn't seriously factor into the final outcome of the game, as the home team won by a staggering 31 points anyway. As the season continues and the schedule gets tougher, though, the Chiefs can't afford to have drives cut short or made more difficult because their $80 million right tackle is getting flagged several times — or even once — per game. Reid is taking note of it and, in the process, coming to the defense of Taylor yet again.