Chiefs headlines for Monday, February 17
The latest
2. 2019 Chiefs
Overall record: 15-4
Super Bowl: Def. 49ers 31-20
Kansas City’s first championship team of the century was its best one. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill were at the top of their respective games. The Chiefs defense was seventh in the NFL in points allowed, fifth in interceptions recorded and eighth in sacks.
In the postseason, the Chiefs became the first team to win three straight playoff games after trailing by double digits, including their divisional round win over the Texans that saw them overcome a 24-0 deficit. The Chiefs’ ability to overcome sizable deficits is one of the main reasons why they came in at No. 2.
1. 2024 Eagles
Overall record: 18-3
Super Bowl: Def. Chiefs 40-22
It’s hard to match the 2024 Eagles resume. Their 18 wins are tied for the most in NFL history and most by any Super Bowl champion this century. The Eagles capped off their historic season with a decisive win over a team that was on the precipice of history.
No other Super Bowl-winning team this century had a top-10 quarterback, two top-20 receivers, a 2,000-yard rusher, a big, powerful offensive line and a second-ranked scoring defense that wreaked havoc on quarterbacks without having to blitz. That’s why they’re No. 1.
10 bold NFL predictions for 2025: Breakout team, top rookie QB, MVP, Super Bowl | FOX Sports
2. Chiefs miss the playoffs in 2025
Kansas City’s weaknesses were exposed during the team’s embarrassing loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl. Specifically, the Chiefs failed to protect their most important asset in Patrick Mahomes.
Expect Kansas City’s chief rivals — the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals — to use Philadelphia’s blueprint and attempt to do the same thing next season. Also, the Chiefs have won the AFC West nine straight times, but with heavyweight coaches like Jim Harbaugh, Sean Payton and now Pete Carroll in the division, the road to the playoffs will get much harder for the Chiefs.
They’ll suffer a Super Bowl hangover and miss the postseason for the first time since 2015.
Most Important Free Agent Target for NFL Teams With the Most Cap Space in 2025 | Bleacher Report
Chicago Bears: OG Trey Smith6 of 8
Projected Cap Space: $63.0 million
As was already mentioned, Kansas City’s Trey Smith is the best available interior lineman in free agency this year. Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team expects Smith’s talent, age and relatively shallow crop at the position to land the 25-year-old a deal that sails past $20 million a season.
“The top offensive lineman in free agency is none other than Smith, who fell to the sixth round in the 2021 NFL Draft due to some injury concerns,” Mosher said. “Since being drafted, he has missed just one start in four years and played a total of 79 games, including 13 playoff starts. He made the Pro Bowl for the first time during the 2024 season and is just 25, which means his best football could still be ahead of him. Considering all of his experience, play, and age, it’s likely that Smith could end up being one of the highest-paid interior offensive linemen in the league after free agency. Smith should have plenty of suitors, as teams with young quarterbacks will be willing to overpay to solidify the middle of their offensive line. Expect him to have a robust market early in free agency.”
Smith will likely be too expensive for the Chiefs to hang on to in free agency, and most of the teams who are at or near the top of the NFL in cap space will probably at least kick the tires.
But the Bears have to improve the pass protection for Caleb Williams, who was sacked a jaw-dropping 68 times as a rookie. If that means making Smith one of the NFL’s highest-paid guards, so be it.
‘Always Sunny’ Star Offers to Pay Eagles Rookie’s Fine for Super Bowl Sack Celebratio | SI
On Saturday, it was reported that the NFL fined Philadelphia Eagles rookie outside linebacker Jalyx Hunt $5,690 for his celebration after sacking Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
After making the tackle, Hunt mimed as though he were shooting a bow and arrow, which the NFL determined to be a “violent gesture” and thus unsportsmanlike conduct.
Now, however, one very huge Eagles fan has offered to pay the fine for Hunt, who made a $795,000 rookie base salary in 2024.
Philadelphia native Rob McElhenney, co-star, co-creator, and co-writer of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, as well as co-owner of Wrexham A.F.C., posted on social media that he will cover the cost of the demerit on Hunt’s behalf. “Worth every penny,” McElhenney said.
Dan Parr 2025 NFL mock draft 1.0: Cowboys’ blockbuster deal among three first-round trades | NFL.com
31 – Kansas City Chiefs
Oregon · DT · Junior (RS)
In this scenario, the Chiefs address their pressing offensive line issues in free agency. That frees them up to look at the other side of the ball in the draft. As my colleague Chad Reuter has pointed out, Chris Jones is currently the only defensive tackle the Chiefs have under contract for the 2025 season.
Around the NFL
Seven more accuse Ravens’ Justin Tucker of sexual misconduct | ESPN
Seven more women have accused Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of engaging in sexually inappropriate misconduct at high-end spas, the Baltimore Banner reported Sunday.
This increases the total to 16 therapists from eight spas to make allegations of inappropriate behavior by Tucker. All of the incidents reportedly occurred during sessions from 2012 to 2016, which were Tucker’s first five seasons in the NFL.
In the latest allegations, one woman told the Banner that Tucker left what she believed to be ejaculate on the table and another said he made intense eye contact throughout the massage while exposed.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs’ pass protection plan became a nightmare in Super Bowl LIX
Hitting Mahomes
The Eagles’ biggest play on Mahomes came on the first play of a drive that began with just under 10 minutes left in the game — and it pretty much summed up the Chiefs’ struggles.
Milton Williams working on Caliendo here. Humphrey slides to help, but Williams just plays further into the B gap and rips around. Smith doing all he can vs Carter, but 15 has to get away from Williams. Massive hit and fumble. pic.twitter.com/V91trmGlvb
— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) February 12, 2025
Here, Philadelphia defensive tackle Milton Williams is lined up over Mike Caliendo. On the snap, Williams starts to work the B-gap. Creed Humphrey comes over to assist, but Williams works outside and rips his way through Caliendo’s block.
This forced Mahomes to move to his right, where Jalen Carter lit him up and forced a fumble. Mahomes’ movement opened a lane for Carter to get past Trey Smith for the kill shot.
The Chiefs’ ancillary blocking from the running backs and tight ends was also subpar. This didn’t help left guard Joe Thuney, who struggled while filling in at left tackle. To his credit, he’d had a good playoff run playing out of position — but Philadelphia took advantage of him by putting their larger, more physical pass rushers on the outside against the short-armed All-Pro guard.
Social media to make you think
Mac McClung really did what the Chiefs couldn’t #NBAAllStar | #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/g5z4VkdRXY
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) February 16, 2025
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