NEW ORLEANS – Even because the confetti was flying and the Philadelphia Eagles have been celebrating their Tremendous Bowl triumph on the sector of the Superdome, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs already have been serious about getting again to the large sport subsequent yr.
They simply may look an entire lot totally different.
The Chiefs have 28 gamers who might be free brokers this offseason, a lot of whom contributed not solely to this Tremendous Bowl run however the two championships that preceded it. And that does not embody gamers equivalent to Travis Kelce, who’ll spend the approaching weeks and perhaps even months deciding whether or not to retire or make one other run.
“It’s if he desires to place in that grind, as a result of it takes it to go on the market and play 20 video games, no matter it’s, and get to the Tremendous Bowl, and he’s executed sufficient to be a gold-jacket man and first-ballot Corridor of Famer,” Mahomes stated when requested about whether or not his buddy may name it quits. “However I do know he nonetheless has love for the sport, and he’ll get to spend a while along with his household and make that call on his personal.”
What may issue into it? The truth that Kelce’s ultimate sport could be such a humiliating 40-22 loss to the Eagles.
The long-dominant Chiefs have been making an attempt to win an unprecedented third consecutive Lombardi Trophy. As a substitute, they have been dominated by Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and their ferocious protection in a sport that was by no means actually shut.
Mahomes and Kelce each lamented the efficiency because the worst of their season.
May need been the worst of their careers.
“We simply couldn’t discover that spark,” Kelce stated. “We could not discover that momentum.”
Mahomes was sacked six occasions by an Eagles go rush that had its means with Kansas Metropolis’s offensive line, which by no means solved its drawback defending his blind aspect this season. And the two-time NFL MVP threw a pair of interceptions — together with a pick-6 — and fumbled the ball away in a efficiency that left Mahomes blaming himself for the end result of the sport.
“I really feel like I didn’t play to my commonplace, simply with particularly the struggles that I had early within the season,” Mahomes stated, “and so there’s issues that I’ve to get higher at, they usually type of confirmed on the most important stage.”
The possibilities of a three-peat are gone. Now, the Chiefs should recalibrate as they start their pursuit of one other title.
“It was by no means in regards to the three-peat. It was about residing within the second, simply getting this one executed,” heart Creed Humphrey stated. “It hurts not getting the job executed it doesn’t matter what.”
Extensive receiver roles
The Chiefs will get Rashee Rice again from a season-ending harm, and first-round draft decide Xavier Worthy had a Tremendous Bowl efficiency for the ages — eight catches for 157 yards and two scores. However fellow broad receivers Marquise Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman and Justin Watson are free brokers, and somebody might want to exchange them.
Offensive line assist
Trey Smith might be a free agent, and whereas basic supervisor Brett Veach stated final week that he hopes to maintain the standout left guard, his asking worth could be an excessive amount of. However the larger drawback is left sort out, the place the Chiefs tried Kingsley Suamataia and Wanya Morris with none luck, and the place left-guard Joe Thuney struggled as a alternative within the Tremendous Bowl.
Travis Kelce’s query mark
The four-time All-Professional tight finish professed his love for soccer a number of occasions main as much as the Tremendous Bowl, however the 35-year-old’s efficiency towards Philadelphia underscored that his taking part in days are nearing the tip. Kelce has laid the groundwork for a post-playing profession in TV, and his profitable podcast along with his brother, Jason Kelce, would assist preserve him busy in retirement.
Teaching workers
Andy Reid made it clear that he intends to educate the Chiefs subsequent season and presumably past, preemptively ending any speak that the 66-year-old may name it a profession. His offensive coordinator, Matt Nagy, and defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, each had interviews for head-coaching jobs however have been handed over, so the workers ought to return largely intact subsequent season.
Stadium state of affairs
The Chiefs and Royals had a gross sales tax measure voted down final yr that may have helped to pay for upgrades to Arrowhead Stadium. Now, the groups are going their very own path on the subject of their future houses. The Chiefs should determine comparatively quickly whether or not it is sensible to improve their widespread however getting old facility or construct anew — maybe with a roof so they might host Tremendous Bowls and Closing Fours — and the place such a stadium could be situated.
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