NBC
We already have our first controversy of the NFL season.
During the Lions-Chiefs season opening game, fans noticed the Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor was jumping early on several plays.
Despite it being an obvious penalty, the refs seemed to let him get away with it and wouldn’t call a penalty on the Chiefs.
https://twitter.com/RickyG457615788/status/1699957654553333774
UNFAIR: The #Chiefs offensive line continues to JUMP EARLY before the snap and refs as always somehow ‘just MISS it’
Here is Jawaan Taylor CLEARLY starting early 😳pic.twitter.com/IWBLOlKfNL
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 8, 2023
This is not a legal formation for the right tackle. At worst, he must even with the rear-most part of the center. He is clearly behind – consistently, yet the referees are swallowing their whistle, allowing the Chiefs OL to have an advantage in blocking Hutchinson. pic.twitter.com/OXFTRzC2Zi
— Ken Daube (@KenTalksNFL) September 8, 2023
Even the broadcast noticed the Chiefs right tackle and NBC rules specialist Terry McAulay said Taylor wasn’t “remotely close” to being lined up correctly.
NBC's Terry McAulay on Chiefs' RT Jawaan Taylor: "He's really not remotely close, and it's really putting the defensive end at a tremendous disadvantage when you can be that far back."
Taylor appeared well behind the LOS and appeared to start early throughout the game. pic.twitter.com/2UrkTH8bTo
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 8, 2023
Fans were not happy with the right tackle for not being lined up correctly throughout the whole game.
I know its not a rule in football but the chiefs right tackle is some how traveling on every play
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) September 8, 2023
Are they ever going to throw a flag on this Chiefs right tackle?
Dude is moving before the snap on every damn play and he’s lining up in the backfield on passing downs.
— Randall Loftin (@Loftin63) September 8, 2023
Chiefs Right Tackle just cheating the whole game
— Kerryon Johnson (@CoachKerryon) September 8, 2023
After last season we heard a lot about how the NFL really didn’t want officiating issues to dominate the conversation after signature games.
Then in the first game of the following season, its crew allows a right tackle to line up illegally and commit false starts all night.
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger) September 8, 2023