The Kansas City Chiefs and Kadarius Toney have had a series of tough endings to their recent games. In Week 13, both the Chiefs and Green Bay Packers were subjected to some of the worst officiating during Kansas City’s final drive. Then, in the following game, the Chiefs had a potential game-winning touchdown lateral from Travis Kelce nullified due to Kadarius Toney being offside.
Regarding Week 13’s chaotic ending, the Chiefs were justified in their complaints. However, in the subsequent game, the Chiefs’ issues were self-inflicted. While wide receivers rarely get flagged for offsides, it was clear from the beginning that Toney had lined up offside. Additionally, Toney failed to check in with the referees, placing the blame solely on the Chiefs wide receiver for the penalty. This is a frustrating end to the game, but rather than taking responsibility for their mistake, the Chiefs shifted the blame to the referees.
MORE: Lip readers guessed what an absolutely livid Patrick Mahomes shouted at the refs from the sidelines.
Instead of owning up to the self-inflicted penalty, the Chiefs played the blame game with the referees. From head coach Andy Reid to Patrick Mahomes and others, the Chiefs maintained that the officials were at fault, not themselves.
Chiefs’ HC Andy Reid was not pleased that officials did not warn him that Kadarius Toney was lined up offsides the way they have in the past. About the call, the normally mild-mannered Reid said, “It’s a bit embarrassing for the National Football League for that to take place.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2023
Patrick Mahomes: “I’ve played seven years in the National Football League and never had offensive offsides called.”
“You want until a minute left to make a call like that?”
Mahomes said he asked three refs for an explanation. Got none.
“Let us play the game.”
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) December 11, 2023
#Chiefs Jerick McKinnon: “Refs had it out for us tonight huh?” pic.twitter.com/hsgUAVcS1H
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladdtv) December 11, 2023
This complaining seems like sour grapes to me. The referees are not the reason the Chiefs are 8-5 this season. Their lack of wide receiver options and uncharacteristically sloppy play are more limiting factors for the team’s performance. Remember, it was not long ago that Marquez Valdes-Scantling dropped a game-winning touchdown for the Chiefs, contributing to one of their five losses this year.
Moreover, it’s unclear what purpose this complaining serves. The game is over, and the Chiefs lost. Complaining will not fix the team’s issues or persuade anyone in the league to support them. In fact, it makes the Chiefs appear as sore losers for not accepting accountability in a clear-cut situation.
Comparing the Chiefs’ complaints about officiating to the cornerstone play of Super Bowl 57, the Eagles’ cornerback accepted culpability for his actions after a controversial penalty. It’s not that difficult to do, right?
Instead, the Chiefs’ temper tantrum may ultimately define their season. The team has talented players, but the lack of accountability is embarrassing.
