The Chiefs’ chairman and CEO appeared on NFL Network immediately before Super Bowl week’s “Opening Night.”
Shortly before the Super Bowl “Opening Night” telecast kicked off on NFL Network, Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt appeared on “The Insiders,” taking questions from veteran NFL reporters Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
As the Chiefs gear up for the NFL’s first “three-peat” attempt, Hunt noted the job general manager Brett Veach has done replenishing the roster.
“Well, I think you can say a lot of great things about Brett Veach,” said Hunt, “and the job he’s done over the last five or six years at rebuilding the roster every year. This Super Bowl, we’re going to only have five players who were on the team in Super Bowl LIV five years ago, which shows you what an amazing job he’s done of work on the roster.
“This year, we had a lot of injuries and Brett was able to find guys on the street — or other team’s rosters — that would be good fit for what we needed, and he did a magnificent job about plugging the holes and waiting until we got guys healthy. And the great news is we’re going into the Super Bowl with a really healthy roster.”
Most importantly, one of those five players is the face of the league, quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Hunt is unconcerned about the star’s somewhat underwhelming statistical season, citing Mahomes’ clutch play over the Chiefs’ two playoff games this postseason.
“I think it’s true of all the great ones,” Hunt explained, “and it really doesn’t matter what sports we’re talking about — basketball, football, hockey, baseball. The great ones at the most important moments are at their very best, and Patrick has shown that every year.
“Regardless of his stats in the regular season, he always elevates his game when we get to the playoffs, and he’s definitely done that recently. Hopefully that’ll continue this weekend.”
On top of Mahomes, the Chiefs boast Andy Reid, who now boasts a reputation as the league’s top coach after winning three of the last five Super Bowls. Hunt sees the coach he hired 12 years ago as seemingly younger for having worked with the league’s best quarterback.
“I think any head coach who has Mahomes as his quarterback is getting younger and not older,” Hunt remarked. “I think that’s really the key to it. I really think he’s rejuvenated.
“He’s enjoying this part of his career. What a long career he’s had, and we all know where it’s going to end up — the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But he’s loving this time right now as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.”
