After Sunday’s 20-17 loss to Buffalo, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid called the offsides penalty on Kadarius Toney that wiped out a would-be touchdown “a bit embarrassing” for the NFL.
Reid recanted his criticism on Monday, stating that Toney neglected to consult with the ref prior to the play.
“Usually, he glances at the sideline for approval,” said Reid to the press. “However, he didn’t do it this time. That’s a coaching lesson – always confirm alignment with the sideline coach. It’s not like he was deliberately offside. He was just an inch or two away from being in a legal position. As I’ve stated, there are valid arguments on both sides of this issue.”
With 1:25 remaining in Sunday’s game, Patrick Mahomes hit Travis Kelce in stride. The tight end weaved past a tackler. As defenders converged, Kelce tossed a lateral to Toney, who scampered to paydirt. The flag at the start of the play, however, wiped out the score in an eventual loss.
Mahomes and Reid were incensed after the game, criticizing officials for their decision.
On Monday, Reid reversed his position, stating that Toney needed to align himself correctly.
“Is it necessary for us to line up correctly? Indeed, it is. We need to address that. We can’t leave it to the officials,” said Reid.
Toney, who is immensely talented, made the most recent mistake but doesn’t focus on the small aspects that would lead to his and the team’s success. Whether intentional or unintentional, Reid and Mahomes’ remarks after the game shifted the attention away from Toney’s error and towards the officials who had made the right decision.
A source confirmed to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on Monday morning that the NFL will examine Reid’s and Mahomes’ postgame remarks, as it has a consistent policy of not permitting the questioning of referees’ integrity.
On Monday, Reid expressed to reporters that his frustration was due to the absence of communication with the officials.
“He clarified, “I understand what I said or suggested about the officials yesterday. But let’s be clear, I’m not making excuses. I’ve always had a solid rapport with the officials. When they inform me about a player’s behavior, I address it immediately to ensure the necessary changes are made. We’re talking about fine details that can happen in a game. I’ve been in this profession for a long time and I’m not blaming the officials for any game outcomes. However, the cooperative relationship is crucial. Both parties can observe whether a defensive player occasionally lines up in the neutral zone. If the head coach is notified and the player is warned, but still gets called, then they were forewarned. This is the key point I was attempting to convey.”
I pride myself on promptly communicating with our players about the instructions given by officials. For example, if they issue a warning, I make sure the players are immediately aware of it. If they neglect to heed this warning, the responsibility falls on them. I tried to communicate this importance after the game, but I may not have done so effectively.
