A Chiefs player is a league leader after the NFL’s first week of games, but it’s no occasion to take a bow.
Right tackle Jawaan Taylor collected four penalties in Kansas City’s 27-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil.
That tops the league ... and on Thursday it also drew a scolding from Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.
“The penalties, that can’t happen,” Nagy said. “We’ve made it loud and clear. Jawaan knows that. He understands it.”
Taylor was penalized twice for holding and twice for false starts in the Friday, Sept. 5 game. He was flagged twice on the same series — to open the third quarter — for holding and a false start.
“There’s no hiding from it,” Nagy said. “He’s not hiding from it. He understands what’s expected.”
This is familiar ground, as Taylor has been the NFL’s most penalized player since arriving in Kansas City in 2023. He led the NFL in penalties with 23 in 2023 and had 16 last year, tied for the second most.
Don’t blame the officials, Nagy said.
“What happens, whoever the ref is, however they’re calling — we’ve got to adjust to them,” Nagy said. “If they call it one time, a second time can’t happen.”
The Chiefs, who play host to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, were called for 10 penalties by Carl Cheffers’ officiating crew in the opening game in Sao Paulo. Rookie left tackle Josh Simmons had a pair of false starts and defensive end George Karlaftis was flagged for being offside and for roughing the passer.
The game opened with a penalty when defensive back Joshua Williams was flagged for holding on wide receiver Tyquan Thornton’s 42-yard kickoff return.