LAS VEGAS — Super Bowl media availability opened Monday night after a barrage of introductory activities. Yes, the Blue Man Group and Carrot Top were there, too. And who could blame them? The nation awaits an elite clash of the NFL’s best.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ semi-dynastic run of three Super Bowl appearances in four years has triggered the ire of football fans. What did first-team All-Pro DT Chris Jones have to say about it?
How Are Chiefs Dealing With Fan Backlash?
For a Super Bowl underdog (+1.5 as of this writing), the Chiefs aren’t getting much love around the nation.
Hogging Super Bowl appearances to yourself will do that to other fan bases, and now jealousy is rearing its ugly head.
“They grow accustomed to new guys winning every year,” Jones opined from his media booth.
When variety is the spice of life, the Chiefs have hoarded deliciousness for enough time that other football fans are hungry for something less bland.
What else is less bland?
A reporter motivated Jones to put the thoughtful answer aside and provide a WWE quote — you know, get a little feisty. He obliged: “Know your role and shut your mouth.”
Same Success, New Identity
While fans share annoyances with the Chiefs’ winning ways, the fact of the matter is that this is a different Kansas City team. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are no strangers to the limelight, but it’s the defense that has made its mark on the 2023 season.
This Chiefs defense — No. 2 in both scoring and yards allowed — kept the team afloat when the offense uncharacteristically sputtered (the Chiefs were league-average in scoring this year).
Young players like Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis helped round out a unit that has kept their three playoff opponents (Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens) to under 14 points a game.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!