Kelce Questions Chiefs’ Pre-Snap Movement Before Costly Penalty

Jason Kelce agreed that Chiefs tackle Jaylen Moore moved before the snap in the late-game sequence against the Broncos, but said he was puzzled by what other Kansas City linemen were doing beforehand. The false start came during a potential game-winning drive in the Chiefs’ 28-24 defeat on November 1; Kansas City had the ball with less than two minutes remaining and trailed by four points.

On New Heights, the former center pointed to right guard Trey Smith turning to look toward quarterback Patrick Mahomes, while center Creed Humphrey’s head was also lowered. Kelce said Kansas City’s silent cadence usually involves Humphrey looking back, and suggested the extra movement could have made it harder for Moore to anticipate the snap. He also noted that Mahomes had been communicating with receivers before the play.

Kelce said Humphrey’s quick cadence can put pressure on a tackle to react promptly. He did not excuse Moore, but said the activity inside the line may have contributed to the mistake. Travis Kelce offered no detailed response to his brother’s questions, saying the team needed to reduce its penalties.

This season, opponents have gained 164 more penalty yards than Kansas City, the league’s largest negative margin. Since Mahomes became the starting quarterback in 2018, the Chiefs’ penalty-yard differential is minus-1,100, ranking behind only the Jets and Saints. Kansas City is 5-2 this season after missing the playoffs last year.