We won’t see the players in pads until Saturday, but thus far, there has been a consistent theme at training camp: the Chiefs players are fired up and itching to chase history. For a team that’s won back-to-back Super Bowls, you’d think at some point they’d be a bit complacent, but not this roster and not this team.
We’ve discussed the Kansas City Chiefs and their chances to become Three-Peat Super Bowl Champions all off-season. We all say with confidence they can do it, and with Patrick Mahomes at the helm, I’d be hard-pressed to bet against it.
Still, the reality of the situation raises a more prominent question. The odds of accomplishing the feat are long, arduous, and challenging. Even a huge Mahomes supporter, Tom Brady, doubts that even the game’s best player can deliver three Super Bowl titles in a row.
Yet, when I look at the way Mahomes has addressed this training camp, the fact he openly admitted last season, outside of their triumphant Super Bowl run, he didn’t have much fun in 2023.
That was evident by his frustration with the offseason and his sideline meltdown in the Bills’ home game, where a penalty wiped out the Kelce pitch to Kadarius Toney, pushing Mahomes to his boiling point.
In the end, he found a path offensively that he could orchestrate, but it didn’t happen until the second half of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 at Arrowhead. So, what happened next was pure magic.
Fast-forward to July, and Mahomes has been as vocal as we’ve seen him in training camp. He preaches to his receivers to finish the play, gives them high fives when they make a great play, and shows that gunslinger attitude from 2018 to 2019.
In other words, the Mahomes that set the NFL on fire years ago appear to be back in the saddle in Kansas City.
Further, his running mate, Travis Kelce, despite traveling around the globe this summer watching his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, has not lost a step or the fire in his heart for the game he loves so much.
On Wednesday, he went after defensive end George Karlaftis for taking a cheap shot at receiver Kadarius Toney. Kelce was quick to defend his teammate on offense, and that spirit is yet another reason this team isn’t resting on any success.
In practice, Chris Jones gathered his defensive linemates around him and chastised them for their lack of focus and energy. He made it clear they were here to work and get better every single day.
Again, I marvel that this team had a lull last season and still won the Super Bowl. Further, with all the good and bad distractions in the off-season, starting with the horrific shooting at their parade, this team and organization have stayed focused and true to themselves.
Chairman Clark Hunt continues to pony up significant dollars to retain their superstars, coaching staff, and front office, which tells me he believes this team is on the verge of further greatness.
Yet, the team’s entire success hinges on Mahomes remaining healthy and summoning up the magic as he enters the PRIME of his NFL career. Yes, I said it. Some believe, and I am one of them, that we’ve not seen the best Mahomes yet.
The 28-year-old sensation has three Super Bowl Titles, played in six straight AFC Championship games, two league MVPs, and he’s still motivated to win Super Bowls.
We all know he’s a generational talent, but he’s also a good person who cares about his teammates beyond the X’s and O’s. The fact that he has that gleam in his eye after all his success should remind us of all the magical times we have witnessed in Kansas City.
So, for those who have yet to watch the Chiefs in training camp, I suggest you see for yourself that this team is as hungry as they’ve ever been.
