Chiefs’ Jawaan Taylor Defends Technique After Week 1 False Start Controversy

During the NFL’s opening game between the Chiefs and Lions, Kansas City offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor went viral for his questionable technique. The veteran appeared to be lined up in an illegal formation or moving before the ball was hiked several times during the game, but the refs only called one false start.

It was such a popular topic of conversation that even Cris Collinsworth joked about how egregious it appeared that Taylor was leaving his stance early. On Thursday, Taylor defended his technique, arguing that he isn’t doing anything illegal.

“If you look at it, to the eye, it may look like a false start, but if you slow it down on film, I’m moving at the same time the ball is moving I’m just getting out my stance with urgency,” he said. “These rushers are good so if you can get one step ahead by just using the snap count to your advantage, that’d be better for you.”

Taylor is in his first season with the Chiefs following four in Jacksonville, and has been using this technique for several years. If the refs haven’t said anything to him now, he is unlikely to change it if it works.

After Taylor’s performance last week, Dean Blandino said officials are going to try and crack down on illegal formations starting in Week 2.

“On the tape this week at the very end, there are several examples of—and a couple from the Thursday night game with Jawaan Taylor—of tackles who are too far back. … That was emphasized on the training tape going into Week 2,” Blandino told SI’s Matt Verderame. 

The Chiefs play the Jaguars on Sunday, as Taylor faces his former team for the first time.