Arrowhead Pride
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the New York Giants 22-9 in Week 3’s “Sunday Night Football” matchup at MetLife Stadium. The Chiefs’ offense started sloppily, but a second-half surge powered the team to victory.
The Chiefs’ offensive line had an up-and-down game. Some players gave solid individual performances, while others struggled.
Let’s start with two players who carried their weight.
But it wasn’t all sunshine and roses on the offensive line.
It’s time.
Football can be a cruel game. In this instant-reaction era, players who turn in bad performances sometimes fail to get a fair shot.
But Kansas City’s right tackle has had his chance. He’s had more than a fair shot. Now among the team’s highest-paid players, he’s set up for the rest of his life. He was a key member of a Super Bowl championship team, too. Right now, though, he shouldn’t be allowed to play right tackle any longer.
Could there be lingering issues with his offseason knee procedure that are hindering his play? Absolutely. But the Chiefs owe their quarterback more protection than he’s getting from the right side.
Lined up wide to start this play, Brian Burns attacks Taylor with speed and power. While Taylor is fine out of his stance, he brings nothing with his hands — and his pad level is far too high. Burns stabs a hand into his chest, blows him up and smokes Mahomes — who hangs in to absorb the hit. Still, his pass is just about five inches away from being on his highlight film.
On this snap, the Chiefs are trying to sell a running play. Half of the offensive line is sliding left, with Taylor and Trey Smith big on the man side. Taylor is trying to sell a run with a quick jump set — and with tight end Noah Gray in to chip, he has help on the outside against a speed rush, giving him a chance to protect the inside.
The only thing that can blow up this timing play is a rush from the inside — which is exactly what happens. Taylor isn’t patient out of his stance, so Kayvon Thibodeaux quickly blows past Taylor into the B-gap. This flushes Mahomes from the pocket; he can barely get the ball off before he is knocked down.
Taylor still leads the league in penalties: four holds, two false starts and an illegal formation. While these can be drive-killers, the team can tolerate them if the quarterback can otherwise stay on his feet. That’s what has kept Taylor on the field during the last two seasons — but in 2025, things have changed.
The Chiefs have said these problems cannot continue. It is time to see if they meant it. Regardless of the salary cap situation, Kansas City needs a reset at the position.
The team should give backup tackle Jaylon Moore some snaps in Sunday’s matchup against...
