Chiefs’ Jerick McKinnon talks viral Super Bowl run, gives aspirations for 2023 season
Jerick McKinnon says almost every time Chiefs fans stop him to talk about Super Bowl LVII, they bring up one play: his slide in the fourth quarter — at the 1-yard line — when he could have scored a rushing touchdown.
Instead, McKinnon giving himself up allowed the Chiefs to control the clock completely, setting up the game-winning field goal in a 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
“God is good. God is great. He put me in that moment for a purpose, and I did what I had to do,” McKinnon said Wednesday with a smile. “So I’m glad to be called, ‘Champion.’”
Perhaps, it was suggested, the 31-year-old McKinnon will be most remembered for that run once he decides to retire from the NFL.
And while McKinnon didn’t object to that happening ... he also made clear he has additional memories to make.
“You hope you’re going to get another moment, but if that’s the way it sums up, I’m fine with it,” McKinnon said. “Definitely would like to get another Super Bowl.”
McKinnon’s pursuit of another championship ring was ultimately part of what led him back to the Chiefs this year.
Entering his 10th NFL season, McKinnon was a free agent in the spring, saying he had interest from KC and another NFL team before signing to re-join the Chiefs in May.
“This is always somewhere I wanted to be. I said that last year. I felt the same way this year,” McKinnon said. “So the whole free agency, trying to get things done, get on the same page, was a process. But fortunately, I was able to come back, and this is where my heart is. I’m excited to be here again.”
The Chiefs are handling him with care. While McKinnon was at the team facility Tuesday and Wednesday, he did not suit up or participate in the team’s on-field practices.
McKinnon credited the Chiefs and the medical staff for being on the “same page” with making a plan to ensure his body is prepared for another full campaign.
“Last year was a long year. I was fortunate to make it through the whole season, every game,” McKinnon said. “But this’ll definitely take a toll on you.”
McKinnon, named the AFC offensive player of the month in December, had nine receiving touchdowns last season, including eight in the final six contests.
As far as hopes for this season, McKinnon started by saying he’d like to be a team captain again; teammates voted him to the role just ahead of last year’s playoffs.
Outside of that, though, McKinnon centered his thoughts on team-based objectives.
“As long as you keep the end goal in mind — the Super Bowl — and you just maximize the reps, the opportunities, the single individual things will come after that,” McKinnon said. “I’m not really focused on the individual statistics and stuff like that. That’ll come along with opportunities and the work I put in.”
Even though he was sitting out of current practices, McKinnon confirmed that he’d be a “full-go for sure” when training camp starts in St. Joseph, Missouri, next month.
With aspirations that — like last year — his journey will conclude with a second straight victory in the NFL’s final game.
“The thing about it, once you get that feeling and the taste of it, you want more,” McKinnon said. “It’s definitely the right team to be on to do that.”
