It’s a homecoming moment for the Kansas City Chiefs tackle Jawaan Taylor when the team faces his former team Jacksonville Jaguars, this week. Emotions are most likely to run high for the player, after all Jags drafted him in 2019. But besides the emotions, there is one lingering issue that has caught head coach Andy Reid’s attention, and he just wants his player to avoid it on Monday.

In his latest press conference, the coach touched upon Taylor’s issues and how this October 6 game will be an emotional one for him. “It’s home, and he did play there,” Andy Reid reminded the reporters. “I’m sure it’ll be emotional for him that way. He knows that he’s got to focus in on not being too quick off the ball… He’s worked hard at that.” Call it advice or a strict stance, coach Reid’s statements for Taylor are extremely important if the Chiefs are eyeing a win.

No one is a stranger to the tackle’s history with penalties. In just three weeks into the season, Jawaan Taylor led the league with seven penalties. Six of those cost the Chiefs yards, and one was nullified by an offsetting flag against the other team. Even in the win against the New York Giants, Taylor only had one, but a costly penalty. On a Chiefs drive in the second quarter, he was flagged for lining up too far off the line, called an illegal formation. This wiped out quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ 14-yard first-down run. But Reid isn’t the only one to flag this issue.

Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy also addressed the same concerns just after the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last month. “Well, speaking to the obvious, the penalties, that can’t happen,” Nagy told the reporters. “And so that’s where we’re at. We’ve made it loud and clear. Jawaan knows that. He understands it. It’s something that, especially in a moment like that, in that game when things are a little bit off kilter now with the personnel, and you start to move the ball, you have a couple positive plays, and then boom, a penalty or a second.”

Despite costly mistakes that troubled the Chiefs’ already struggling offense, Coach Reid hasn’t lost faith in Taylor and his talent. Yes, he wasn’t disappointed. Taylor stayed clean for the entire game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. However, Coach Reid knows that such issues could resurface when the player faces his former team. After being drafted by the Jaguars in 2019, the tackle left the team to join the Chiefs in March 2023, signing a four-year, $80 million contract.

So, Taylor will have to lean on the coach’s advice to help the Chiefs avoid penalties. And it’s not just on the tackle, coach Reid also addressed concerns on the Chiefs’ tight end, Travis Kelce.

Andy Reid clarifies his stance on Travis Kelce’s limited action

The tight end saw limited action, playing just 66 percent of the snaps in the game against the Baltimore Ravens. This is quite unusual, and coach Reid knows it better than anyone. During his press conference, he addressed the issue. And guess what? It seems he wants to limit his action and save his energy for the playoffs because that is where the Chiefs can’t compromise.

“That’s probably a good area,” Reid said. “I thought he (Travis Kelce) really played well in both the run and pass game. He looked strong all the way through. He’s in great shape right now.”

He further added, “He came back, and he’d really trained hard and aggressive for this thing. He’s such a big part of it. Not only his effort, but the mentality he comes into these games with. He’s all in all the time. He gets mad at me, but it’s my responsibility to make sure that we don’t get too many reps in there, that we get him at least a blow here and there. He’d play every play if he had his choice.”

Despite seeing limited action, Kelce managed five receptions for 48 yards in the win. While it may not have been the best by the 10x Pro Bowler, the most important part of the Chiefs is how they can improve their record this season after their hurdles and compete for the Super Bowl.