NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, known for his powerful hits, shared an anecdote about Joe Montana on OutKick's "The Ricky Cobb Show." Taylor recounted a play where he eased up on Montana as he neared the sideline, only to have Montana continue downfield for extra yardage. Taylor then issued a warning to Montana, saying he'd "light him up" if he repeated the move. Montana, wisely, apologized.

The conversation then shifted to modern quarterbacks and the challenges defenders face. Taylor expressed concern about the rules protecting quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, who often fake going down before taking off to run. He questioned the fairness of these rules and advocated for more balance.

Taylor's viewpoint echoes similar concerns raised by Tom Brady regarding quarterback protection. Brady argued that quarterbacks who run like running backs should lose the special protections afforded to passers. This debate was fueled by a few controversial calls in the Chiefs' playoff game against the Texans, where Mahomes benefited from penalties against defenders who hit him near the head while he was scrambling or sliding.

These discussions highlight the ongoing debate about player safety and the evolving role of quarterbacks in today's NFL, especially as dual-threat QBs become increasingly common. The officiating in Super Bowl LIX between the Chiefs and Eagles will likely be under scrutiny, particularly regarding plays involving Mahomes.