Super Bowl Opening Night: Updates on Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce & Kansas City Chiefs

What quaintly once was considered Super Bowl Media Day now is more aptly known as Super Bowl Opening Night. That’s a description befitting what essentially has become a show propelled by an offbeat range of worldwide entertainment outlets jousting for position to ask often-inane questions of the biggest stars.

And if anybody knows the way these shenanigans go, it’s Chiefs coach Andy Reid — who as of Monday night was participating in his sixth of these going back to 2005 when he coached the Eagles.

That’s eclipsed only by former New England coach Bill Belichick with nine appearances.

In each of the four Reid previously has been part of with the Chiefs, he’s made a concerted effort to roll with the wackiness and show the considerable sense of humor he typically holds in check.

But that’s a lot different than being reckless.

And as Reid last week considered the event, he offered a thought-provoking point about the challenge of conducting yourself among what in recent years has been around 6,000 credentialed outlets from more than two dozen countries.

“You know what’s kind of neat about that is you get people from all over the world that show up,” he said. “Now, some of the questions are a little bizarre.”

To that point, a coach who leaves little to chance on the field stressed that Chiefs players also would be prepared by the team’s vice president of football communications, Brad Gee, and his staff.

“How you handle those (crazy questions), that’s important,” Reid said. “It might be a joke for (those asking), but what you say is what you say. So you have to be careful with how you present it and present yourself.”

— Introduction from The Star’s Vahe Gregorian

Here are highlights and updates from Monday night’s festivities:

Travis Kelce on the Chiefs’ haters

Travis Kelce knows there are people rooting against Kansas City in this Super Bowl.

In fact, he even brought up the officiating conversation that has dominated the airwaves (and social media conversation) after the last handful of games.

Later, he was asked about people who hate the Chiefs.

“People hate the Chiefs? I didn’t know that,” Kelce joked, smiling. “I don’t let outside noise fuel me or motivate me. I have all the motivation right here with the people that I go to work with and who I show up for. I just try to be the most accountable guy that I can for them.”

Kelce also spoke on Taylor Swift, his postgame plans and more in his session with media members.

Mahomes’ perspective on a dynasty

Mahomes had an interesting comment when speaking on growing up watching the Patriots take over the NFL.

“I was that guy. I was a Cowboys fan growing up and I used to hate the Patriots,” Mahomes said. “I think more than anything, I appreciate the greatness of the Patriots more now when I see how hard it was to do what they did.”

To that point, Mahomes understands the Chiefs have attracted their fair share of doubters and haters. He said it can help bring the team closer together to try to “win the game against everybody.”

“We just go out there and play the game that we love the way we feel is the right way,” Mahomes said. “And all the other stuff is kind of outside noise. Hopefully, we’re just giving people a great product to watch and they can see the love for the game that we have.”

Mahomes grateful for Chiefs organization

Mahomes, like Kelce and a few others on the Chiefs, was asked about playing in his fifth Super Bowl.

He already has three wins entering Super Bowl LIX ... all before he turns 30.

“I’m so appreciative of where I was drafted and the team that I have around me,” Mahomes said on NFL Network. “I know that it’s a special run that we’ve been on. Every time I’m here at media night or on this football field at the Super Bowl, I’m going to appreciate those moments because you never know when it’ll be your last one.”

And about that Luka Doncic trade...

If you aren’t aware, Mahomes is a Dallas Mavericks fan, and he had his own reaction the night of the Luka Doncic blockbuster trade to the Lakers — as well as a funny interaction with the Chiefs Twitter/X account the next morning.

Well, you guessed it, the Chiefs’ QB1 was again asked to share his reaction on Monday night.

“It’s tough,” Mahomes said. “I feel like I’ve watched Luka, I’ve watched him since he was 18 years old. I remember going to a practice and it was Dirk (Nowitzki, Mavs legend) and Luka. And seeing his maturation and how great of a basketball player he’s become has been fun to watch. As a Dallas fan it hurts me, but I’m happy for him that he’s going to be able to go out there and be in L.A. and (try to win) a championship.

“He did so much, not only for the basketball team, but for the city of Dallas. So I’ll always be appreciative of those years, but I’m excited for the Mavericks moving forward and the guys they brought in.”

GM Brett Veach praises Andy Reid

The Chiefs’ general manager was interviewed on Fox Sports. He had plenty of praise for the Chiefs’ young players, as well as those in the front office and on the scouting staff.

That said, he had perhaps the most glowing praise for coach Andy Reid.

“It’s amazing,” Veach said of Reid. “He means so much, obviously not just to our organization, but multiple organizations and our city, our community. At the end of the day, he’s an amazing man. And like he tells everyone, at the root of it he’s a teacher. He just loves to make people better, not just players.”

It must be Opening Night

As The Star’s Pete Grathoff points out in New Orleans, you pretty much only see a visual like this at Opening Night.

Kelce’s the right guy for the bit, though.

Travis Kelce speaks to Chiefs fans

When Kelce took his turn to speak to the audience, he was asked if he had a message for the fans watching.

“The loudest fan base in the world baby,” Kelce said with a smile on NFL Network. “Yeahhhhhh, Chiefs Kingdom. We’re ready, baby. Let’s get this thing going.”

Kelce was also asked to put making his fifth Super Bowl with the same organization, coach and quarterback into perspective.

“We’re a family in Kansas City,” Kelce said. “I treat the (Chiefs) Kingdom like they’re my own and like I grew up in KC my entire life. You only get to Super Bowls if you have that family atmosphere year in and year out, week in and week out. ... I’m just so fortunate I get to do it with guys like Andy Reid and Pat Mahomes and Chris Jones.

“We’ve got a lot of familiar faces, but we’ve got a lot of new faces. And I want it just as bad for those guys as I want it for the guys who have been here for a while.”

Patrick Mahomes on NFL Network: ‘I’m always ready’

Mahomes was interviewed on the center stage. He was asked about blocking out distractions during the quest to three-peat.

“It starts with coach Reid, the way, the culture that he’s built,” Mahomes said. “We know it’s a day-by-day process. It’s awesome to be in the Super Bowl, but we have to go put in the work every single day first.”

Then, Mahomes was asked about the Eagles and the respect he has for them.

“I’ve seen them do it on the biggest stage,” Mahomes said. “I think in both our football teams, I’d say it’s great culture, great teams, a lot of great players that all want to win.”

So is Mahomes ready?

“I’m always ready,” Mahomes answered.

Chiefs and Eagles share the stage

At the midway point of Opening Night, Chiefs captains Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, Nick Bolton, Harrison Butker and James Winchester represented the team on stage, as did coach Andy Reid.

The players embraced the Eagles captains, including Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown, while Reid and Nick Sirianni shook hands.

Up first, speaking on the NFL Network broadcast: Jones.

“Kansas Cityyyyyyyyyy,” Jones yelled. “We’re back in the Super Bowl baby.”

He was asked about the team’s journey this season.

“We faced a lot of adversity early on in the year,” Jones said. “Shows you the resiliency and the character of this team. We’re humbled to be in this position. We’re excited about it. Looking forward to the opportunity to play the Philadelphia Eagles.”

No love lost: Chiefs fans and Nick Sirianni

You can bet Chiefs fans in New Orleans will be giving Eagles coach Nick Sirianni a hard time. That’ll especially be the case after an interaction following a Chiefs-Eagles game in 2023, when Sirianni shouted at KC fans following an Eagles win at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

In New Orleans, Sirianni was asked about that interaction. His answer, per The Star’s Pete Grathoff:

“You know, this is an emotional game, and you know sometimes your emotions, I wouldn’t say get the best of you, but you show your emotion,” Sirianni said. “I think one thing that I’ve never really been shy about is being myself and being who I am.

“I think if you’re not the person that you are, and you’re trying to lead men, that they’ll see through that moment. And so, you know, sometimes you get more emotions in certain times than others.”

Opening Night underway at Ceasars Superdome

The Star’s Blair Kerkhoff shared a look inside the stadium in New Orleans.

Star reporters Blair Kerkhoff, Jesse Newell, Pete Grathoff and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell will be contributing to Super Bowl coverage all week in New Orleans. Follow their coverage and more at kansascity.com.

The Chiefs, as of the 8 o’clock hour, are preparing for their first (joint) appearance with the Eagles.

Saquon Barkley praises Chiefs star Chris Jones

Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones has a knack for putting his handprint on the game — regardless of his individual stats.

On the other sideline, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is also a difference maker, and his statistics (like rushing for 2,000 yards in 16 games) couldn’t be louder.

Those two will line up against each other in Super Bowl LIX, and you can bet there’s plenty of respect on both sides.

“He’s a fantastic player,” Barkley said of Jones, as shown on NFL Network. “One of the best defensive players in the league. You could make the argument he is the best defensive player in the league. Definitely a guy that we’ve got to key on and don’t let him wreck the game.”

Saquon Barkley likes ... red

OK, so Super Bowl Opening Night isn’t just about the serious stuff. That’s how you can learn Saquon Barkley’s favorite Mexican dish, for example, is a quesadilla.

But one funny moment came when the Eagles running back was asked for his favorite color.

“My favorite color, I’m gonna go red,” Barkley said on NFL Network. “Oooh. Maybe that wasn’t the right color to say at this moment right (now). I’m saying red because I think that’s my favorite color.”

(By the way, Barkley wasn’t the only one thinking about colors. Just ask the person in charge of swapping out Gatorade.)

Another amusing question came from quarterback Jameis Winston, who asked Barkley where Winston, as a free agent, should be looking to get a job.

“I think New York needs a quarterback right now,” Barkley, a former Giants standout, deadpanned. “The Giants.”

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt on Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes & more

Moments before Opening Night kicked off, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt was interviewed on the NFL Network show “The Insiders.” He was asked about a number of topics, including the chance to three-peat.

Hunt first noted coach Andy Reid “has done a great job” of keeping players focused week by week, rather than dwelling on the big picture. Then, he spoke about Reid.

“I think any head coach who has Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback is getting younger and not older,” Hunt said, later calling Reid a future Hall of Famer. “I really think he’s rejuvenated and enjoying this part of his career.”

As for the quarterback...

“I think it’s true of all the great ones, and it really doesn’t matter what sport we’re talking about ...” Hunt said. “The great ones, in the most important moments, are at their very best. And Patrick has shown that every year.”

NFL commissioner on Chiefs/referee conspiracies: ‘Ridiculous’

Roger Goodell spoke ahead of Opening Night in New Orleans. In Star reporter Blair Kerkhoff’s roundup from Goodell’s news conference, he noted the NFL commissioner was asked about the idea that the Chiefs receive favorable officiating.

Replied Goodell: “It’s a ridiculous theory, for anyone who might take it seriously.”

One can imagine several members of the Chiefs — and Eagles — will be asked about that topic come Monday night, even if the statistics tend to debunk any claims of favoritism.

Hunt, speaking on “The Insiders,” was asked about that topic, too.

“You almost have to laugh at it because you know how everybody in the NFL wants to compete to win,” Hunt said. “... If you look at the stats, there are a lot of stats that show we’ve been on the wrong side of calls as often as we’ve been on the right side. So there’s definitely no conspiracy.”

He continued: “It’s just the nature of the game. And when you have a lot of success, people like to start making excuses for why you’re having the success.”

Super Bowl Opening Night schedule

Opening Night technically runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central, but the fun really gets started around 7 p.m.

• Philadelphia Eagles media session (coaches and players): 7 p.m. Central
• Joint media session with the Chiefs and Eagles: 8:15 p.m. Central
• Kansas City Chiefs media session (coaches and players): 9 p.m. Central

The NFL bills Opening Night as the “first public appearance” for players and coaches during Super Bowl week, while also noting it’s “the only time the two teams will be together in one location prior to Super Bowl Sunday.”

Check back throughout the night for live updates and highlights, including social media posts, videos, quotes and more.

This story was originally published February 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM.