What Patriots Can Learn From Super Bowl-Bound Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are doing it again.

Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce will represent the AFC in Super Bowl LIX, bringing their club to a third consecutive title game after wins over the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills.

It’s different this time, though.

The Chiefs didn’t exactly look like the world beaters of years past in 2024, despite the fact they only lost one game in which they played all of their starters. Mahomes’ numbers are way down, partly because JuJu Smith-Schuster, Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy were thrust into elevated roles throughout different points of the season due to injuries. Kelce has also taken a step back and will enter the big game coming off the worst playoff performance of his career. Steve Spagnuolo’s defense is still effective but struggled to stop the run in multiple games this season and won’t have an easy time against the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 9.

Kansas City is still going to the Super Bowl, though, and that’s because the organization has built a culture used to winning.

The New England Patriots know what that’s all about, and should be doing everything in their power to get back to a similar place.

Kansas City has been able to sustain success through an ability to continue drafting and developing talent, while also bringing in veterans who fit their winning culture.

Nick Bolton, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis III, Isiah Pacheco and Chamarri Conner were all drafted and developed into starters during this dynastic run, with several (Humphrey, Smith, McDuffie) serving among the best in the world at their respective positions.

The Chiefs weren’t picking first every season but evaluated talented football players who could contribute quickly, overlooking positional value and hitting the jackpot on some late-round choices along the way.

Joe Thuney, Jawaan Taylor, Drue Tranquill, Justin Reid and even Smith-Schuster signed on as free agents to contribute greatly, all looking for an opportunity to get over the hump after seeing their previous team hit tough times. KC was the beneficiary of its own success, becoming a destination for winning players.

The Patriots won’t be able to get into that stratosphere any time soon, but doing things the right way — drafting well, making the right decisions on free agents, allowing your best players to establish the culture — will help them push toward that goal.