Jawaan Taylor's Remarkable Turnaround Positions Him as Chiefs’ Key Offensive Asset
Kansas City Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor has become a topic of conversation across the league after a stellar performance in his last four games. Once plagued by penalties and inconsistent play, Taylor has emerged as a reliable force on the offensive line, keeping Patrick Mahomes upright and the offense moving forward. Over this stretch, Taylor has allowed zero sacks, zero quarterback hits, and no penalties, while conceding only four pressures.
Taylor's turnaround is particularly impressive given his previous struggles. In 2024, he led the league in penalties, totaling 16 infractions for 115 yards. His play during the first game of the 2025 season raised concerns, with four penalties committed in just three quarters. However, his recent streak shows significant improvement, drawing praise from both coaches and teammates.
“I’ve been working hard to make sure I’m more disciplined this year,” Taylor said, reflecting on his recent performances. “I know I’ve got to be the guy who protects Patrick and makes sure the offense has time to execute. It’s been a process, but I’m feeling confident in my game right now.”
Head coach Andy Reid has also acknowledged Taylor's progress, noting, “When he doesn’t have the penalties, his percentages have been good. You could argue he’s one of the better tackles in his pass protection game.”
Teammates have also noticed the improvement. “Jawaan’s been a monster out there lately,”
Taylor’s resurgence has played a key role in stabilizing the Chiefs' offensive line, once a point of concern for the team. With his improved performance, Mahomes has had more time in the pocket, and the running game has seen better results as well. Taylor’s strong play has helped keep the Chiefs' offense balanced and dynamic, positioning them for another potential Super Bowl run.
“I just want to be a guy the team can count on,” Taylor added. “I know how important my role is, and I’m focused on doing whatever it takes to help us win.”
If Taylor continues this level of play, he could become a foundational piece for the Chiefs' offensive line for years to come, solidifying his place as one of the league's top right tackles.
Ex-Lions coordinator gets long-awaited first win as a head coach
It took longer than New York Jets and Detroit Lions fans had anticipated, but Lions' former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has finally won his first game as a head coach in the NFL.
Emotions were already high going into Sunday's game after it was announced before kickoff that legendary Jets center Nick Mangold, 41, had passed away from complications of a chronic kidney disease first diagnosed in 2006. Mangold played ten seasons in the NFL from 2006 to 2016, all with the Jets, amassing seven Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro nods. Mangold was enshrined in the Jets' Ring of Honor in 2022.
Glenn did not play with Mangold, but did spend eight seasons with the Jets as a cornerback from 1994 to 2001. He knew how much a win today would mean for New York, but wins have been tough to come by. Glenn's 0-7 start was reminiscent of the Lions' 0-10-1 start under Dan Campbell in 2021. Numerous close losses and questionable decisions led to concerns about whether he had what it took to turn around a struggling franchise. Just like Campbell leading the team he once played for, Glenn was able to get his first win in dramatic fashion.
For much of Sunday's game, 0-8 seemed inevitable. The Cincinnati Bengals held numerous double-digit leads and answered nearly every Jets score with a score of their own. With about nine and a half minutes left in the game, ESPN's win probability chart had the Jets at a 2.5% chance of winning, but it wasn't 0%.
Jets quarterback Justin Fields and running back Breece Hall led a five-play, 60-yard drive capped off by a 27-yard touchdown rush by Hall. Down 38-30, the Jets converted a two-point conversion attempt with a Fields pass to RB Isaiah Davis. With momentum on their side, the Jets' defense made a key three-and-out stop of Bengals' QB Joe Flacco, giving their offense a chance to take the lead.
The Jets' following drive got off to a fast start as Fields' pass to Davis quickly brought the Jets to the Bengals' 35-yard line, and a subsequent Hall rush brought them ten yards closer. The Jets were then faced with two different third-down situations, converting both of them. Sitting on first and goal, Glenn took a page from Campbell's book as Hall tossed a TD pass to tight end Mason Taylor. It was a very similar play to the one the Lions ran last year on National Tight Ends Day, where David Montgomery tossed a TD pass to Sam LaPorta.
Jets kicker Nick Folk kicked the extra point to give the Jets a 39-38 lead, after a 23-point fourth quarter. With little time remaining, the Bengals would make it to their own 45-yard line before the Jets' defense stopped them on down, securing the victory. For the first time, Jets fans were treated to the fiery locker room speech about grit that Lions fans have grown so accustomed to.
The other former Lions coordinator sees his win streak end
While the Glenn branch of the Campbell coaching tree just got its first win, another branch on that tree has seen some early successes. Entering Sunday, former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and his Chicago Bears were vying for their fifth consecutive win.
The Bears faced off against a struggling Baltimore Ravens team, who will have to wait another week for the return of their two-time MVP QB Lamar Jackson. After a few weeks of Cooper Rush behind center, the Ravens brought back former Pro Bowler Tyler Huntley, and the move paid off.
Huntley was efficient, completing 77.27% of passes for 186 yards and one passing TD. Huntley also added 53 rushing yards. RB Derrick Henry added 71 yards on 21 carries for two rushing TDs to lead the Ravens to a dominant 30-16 victory, dropping the Bears to 4-3.
For many Lions fans, both results were ideal. The former coordinator who went to a division rival lost, while the one who went to the AFC won. The season is still young, and the story of Glenn and Johnson's head coaching career is a long way from being done. For Glenn, that story now includes a win. Hopefully, the first of many wins in Glenn's career. So as long as none of those wins are against the Lions, most of Detroit will be rooting for him along the way.
