Chiefs rumors: Marcus Peters suspended for yelling at assistant coach

The real reason that Marcus Peters was suspended was largely in part because he yelled at an assistant coach for the Chiefs.

When the Kansas City Chiefs suspended star cornerback Marcus Peters for Week 14 against the Oakland Raiders, Peters wasn’t under any potential punishment from the NFL. It was an internal matter for the Chiefs deemed appropriate by conduct on the field from the previous Sunday—a thrown flag into the stand on the part of Peters and the subsequent leaving of the field before the game was over.

With all explanations, the suspension itself felt arguable. For some, it had its merits given Peters’ dramatic nature all year long. For others, it was maybe a stretch by the team that had some wondering whether or not Clark Hunt even got involved.

Now it appears there’s much more to the story. Check out Mike Garafolo on Good Morning Football on the NFL Network:

Garafolo’s explanation and the subsequent discussion bring a few things into view:

1. The suspension was clearly based more on internal strife that no one outside the Chiefs can truly know about. We cannot know what led to Peters’ outburst, nor do we even know the coach involved or the substance of the argument.
2. Everyone who has watched the Chiefs defense this year has likely yelled through the TV at an assistant coach themselves—wondering why Justin Houston is in coverage or why Terrance Mitchell doesn’t play a single snap for games while Kenneth Acker gets starters minutes.
3. Peters’ altercation plus his overall attitude and behavior at the game (and perhaps before) likely earned him this extreme punishment. (Remember, a suspension cost a player significant money in the form of a game check.
4. The good news for all involved is that Peters is reportedly contrite and is letting this punishment and entire affair direct him forward. He’s reportedly apologetic and feels remorse for the way it has all played out.

The last point is the ultimate good for Chiefs Kingdom (fans and the team itself). If Peters can turn an emotional corner, this could be the turning point for an elite player to truly take the next step.

Remember this, Todd Haley at one point looked Derrick Johnson in the eyes and said, “Either you become more than you are or I will play someone who will.” Those weren’t exact words, obviously, but Haley made the leading tackler in Chiefs history sit for the bulk of a year. For those of who have watched DJ over the last several years, it’s insane to think that he ever needed to “turn a corner.” He’s a consummate professional, a team leader who, at least until this year, had the instincts to go with world class athleticism.

Peters is already a heralded ballhawk, an elite corner whose emotions often get the best of him. If he can also turn the corner, learning how to channel that emotion in positive ways, on his way to being a team leader, perhaps everything and everyone can heal—his relationship with fans, his consistency on the field, his influence on the secondary.