Why Chiefs star walked off with ‘mixed emotions’ after 2023 Super Bowl win vs. Eagles
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie wants another shot at the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.
That’s because of his prior history. McDuffie said Thursday that the Chiefs’ 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII — back in February 2023 when McDuffie was a rookie — didn’t go as he envisioned.
“I remember walking off that field with mixed emotions as a whole defense. We were really excited that we won, but we still thought we didn’t play our best game in that last Super Bowl (vs. Eagles),” McDuffie said. “So going to this Super Bowl, there’s definitely a challenge that we have to uphold, in going out there and having a better showing.”
Specifically, McDuffie had a difficult time early with Eagles receiver A.J. Brown. McDuffie lost track of where Brown was on a deep route in the second quarter, getting turned around before Brown caught a 45-yard touchdown around him in the end zone.
Brown finished with six receptions for 96 yards in that contest, while teammate DeVonta Smith also had a big day, catching seven passes for 100 yards.
McDuffie said the Chiefs’ defense would need to improve its energy level and focus if it wanted different results against the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
“We know the challenge that’s in front of us. We know they’re going to bring their ‘A’ game,” McDuffie said. “They lost to us last time. So they have a chip on their shoulder, and we’ve just got to be ready to go in there and work.”
KC faces varying challenges against Brown and Smith.
McDuffie labeled Brown as a “big, physical” receiver who provides a versatile pass-catching threat for quarterback Jalen Hurts.
“He does the dirty work. Definitely a deep-shot guy that Jalen trusts, so you’ve gotta be physical,” McDuffie said. “You gotta be on your P’s and Q’s, and you’ve gotta know what routes he likes.”
Meanwhile, Smith enters as a “dynamic” field-stretcher who thrives on speed. The fourth-year pro had 68 catches for 833 yards in the regular season and has more than 4,000 receiving yards in his young career.
“So a lot of respect to both those dudes,” McDuffie said. “I think the defensive-back room just understands the challenge that we’re presented with.”
McDuffie played a big part in one of the Chiefs’ most important snaps Sunday, blitzing from the edge to help pressure Bills quarterback Josh Allen on a critical fourth-and-5 incompletion in KC’s 32-29 victory.
After the game, McDuffie told The Star he decided to line up on the side of the field to ensure he was the cornerback blitzer on that play.
He spoke more about that moment with reporters Thursday, saying he’s “usually pretty confident” when Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo dials up a blitz.
“I think especially late in the games, he does it very well, where you never know what side the blitz is coming,” McDuffie said. “Guys may say, ‘Yeah, you know they’re gonna blitz,’ but you don’t know which way it’s coming.”
McDuffie said that just before the snap, he heard the Bills’ offensive linemen talk about sliding their protection in the other direction. That was to ensure they were covered against Chiefs All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones.
“Right after that,” McDuffie said, “I was like, ‘We got him.’”
McDuffie, who historically has been one of the NFL’s best blitzers from the slot, joked that opponents might be able to know he’s coming if they pay close enough attention.
All they have to do is look at him.
“I always tell people I have the biggest smile on my face when I’m blitzing,” McDuffie said with a laugh. “That’s my dead giveaway.”
This story was originally published January 31, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
