ASHBURN, Va. — During the Washington Commanders’ impressive victory last week, one of their touchdowns featured a play intriguingly titled “Taylor Swift.”
The Carolina defense seemed unprepared for this creative playcall.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury disclosed that Marcus Mariota’s initial completion to tight end Ben Sinnott was named in honor of the pop music sensation, who has enjoyed a prominent spot in NFL discussions recently.
“The first catch he made was a touchdown, and we named the play ‘Taylor Swift,’ so that’s an exciting way to kick off your NFL scoring,” Kingsbury remarked. “He was really pumped about it.”
Swift has been publicly linked to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and has been seen supporting him at multiple games. Kingsbury noted that the tight ends came up with the name, hinting that Sinnott, a second-round draft pick, likely has a deeper appreciation for Swift’s music.
On the play executed from the Carolina 3-yard line, Sinnott moved in motion, headed to the outside, found an opening in the defense, and made the catch from Mariota for a straightforward touchdown.
Kingsbury mentioned, “We brought this play into our scheme this year. We probably practiced it for about three weeks before finally deciding to run it in the game.”
This marked Sinnott’s first touchdown in the NFL, echoing his last scoring moment in a significant matchup back on November 25, 2023, while he played for Kansas State against Iowa State.
“He has shown consistent improvement,” Kingsbury commented. “I believe the game is starting to become easier for him. He’s a remarkable talent.”
Kingsbury, known for his imaginative offensive strategies stemming from his time at Southern California and Texas Tech, noted that naming plays after celebrities is a part of his approach, adding that there are several such names in the playbook.
“That’s certainly a fun one,” he said. “You can expect to see it again.”
There is also a play known as “Kelce,” although it remains uncertain if it refers to Travis or his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.
“It’s simply ‘Kelce,’” Kingsbury clarified. “They’re distinct; it’s not one in the same.”