Before 2020, the Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t made a superbowl appearance since 1970, but one singular decision during the 2017 NFL Draft, made by head coach Andy Reid, would change everything. The team went 9 – 0 in the 2017 regular season while being considered by many as one of the best teams in the NFL, but they struggled in the final push during the playoffs, losing in the AFC conference championship. Their reach was far into the playoffs, however, one particular thing was holding them back; they needed a superstar quarterback that would take them all the way.
During the 2017 NFL Draft, coach Reid knew he saw something in Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes and chose to select him over Clemson Quarterback, Deshaun Watson. Mahomes and Watson were not the only Kansas City prospects that night as cornerback Marshon Lattimore was set in Coach Reids’ sights. The team was yet to have the dominant defense that they have today, and at this point they were slowly building it up, player by player. Lattimore would’ve been a key figure in their defensive scheme, however, he wasn’t the choice. Reid’s final choice among players would be what many consider to be the best ever draft selection made in NFL history.
Mahomes wouldn’t be a full-fledged starter until 2018, the year following his rookie season. After long-time Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith went to the Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders), Mahomes was finally able to show the league his potential. He made a mark as soon as he touched the field, starting the season going 5 – 0. Analysts and fans couldn’t believe their eyes as the newly rebuilt team tore through the AFC, rocketing to the top of the charts with Mahomes having the 2nd most passing yards in the league. This statistic was led by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
The team seemed undefeatable until they faced the Tom Brady led New England Patriots, which at the time were considered by nearly every NFL fan as the strongest dynasty in NFL history who had won 6 Super Bowls under the leadership of Brady. The odds were against them, and it was time for young Mahomes to make his mark in the league. The game ended with the score of 43 – 40, Patriots. Though it was a loss for the Chiefs, fans were blown away by the performance put up by the young, inexperienced quarterback. The team gave it their all and put up an elite show against the veteran quarterback and showed all fans that they were no longer a playoff loss-bound team.
The Chiefs would go on to make the playoffs, and they even won their first game against the Colts to take them to the conference finals. Unfortunately, Mahomes had to face Brady once more. He had awaited that moment since he had taken his first loss to Brady during the regular season. Giving his all into his performance, he took the team all the way into overtime, where they would regrettably lose the game 37 – 31, Patriots. Mahomes had finally reached his potential, and he would make it obvious in the following season.
The league had high hopes for the team at the start of the season, but fans began to doubt the abilities of the team due to their 1 – 3 record in the preseason. Per usual, the team started strong going 4 – 0 on the road. Following their streak of wins they took a big hit, losing to both the Colts and Texans, both games being at home. For the rest of the season, the team would be inconsistent, practically winning, then losing, and then repeating the cycle.. Ultimately, they were still able to make the playoffs, and from that point would be the true start to the modern Chiefs dynasty.
The Chiefs would go on to sweep through the playoffs, and in the end they beat the San Francisco 49ers 30 – 21 in the Superbowl. Since this breakout season, they have continued to dominate the AFC and the NFL as a whole. They have appeared in four total Super Bowls, going 3 – 1. Once again, this year they have swept through the NFL going 8 – 1, being serious Super Bowl contenders each and every year.
