Tag: 2024 regular season

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes previews matchup with 49ers: ‘We have a ton of respect for them’

Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes previews matchup with the San Francisco #49ers: ‘We have a ton of respect for them’ | @EdEastonJr

On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs return to action for Week 7 against a familiar foe, the San Francisco 49ers. The Super Bowl LVIII rematch will feature two teams dealing with injuries but still have high expectations.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes spoke to reporters on Wednesday, sharing his thoughts on facing off with the 49ers again this Sunday.

“Whenever you have two great football teams that meet up in the Super Bowl and meet up in all these big games,” said Mahomes. “There’s going to be a history between that, and so obviously, we’ve been able to win those games, but we know how good this football team is, and we have a ton of respect for them, and so it’s not like one play couldn’t have changed all these football games, and so we’re going with that mindset of we’ve just got to make the plays whenever they count.”

Mahomes has won two of his three Super Bowl titles against San Francisco and is the reigning game MVP. He has succeeded but knows that each game was close and involved a thrilling comeback.

Chiefs LB Nick Bolton discusses his return from injury, preparing for Week 1 vs. Ravens

Kansas City #Chiefs LB Nick Bolton discusses his return from injury, preparing for Week 1 vs. Baltimore #Ravens | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are a little over a week away from starting the regular season at home against the Baltimore Ravens. Injuries have kept many starters out of training camp and the preseason, but most are expected to be ready for Week 1.

Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton has battled various injuries over the past year, including training camp and missing the preseason. He spoke with reporters on Tuesday about his recovery and plans for the regular season opener vs. Baltimore.

“Yeah, man. I think the whole thing, training camp and preseason. Just kind of getting out there and just going through my mechanics, I think that is kind of huge.” said Bolton. “Especially (in the) preseason and our defense, it’s a lot of communication and getting guys on the same page. I definitely missed that aspect of it. I think I’ve done a great job of kind of just getting in where I can. Making my calls and making my checks and going through the mental part of the game.”

Bolton missed time last season due to injuries and is focused on returning to his dominant play and durability in 2022. He is ready for the season regardless of his limited time on the field recently.

“How can I get (myself) prepared for Week 1? I will continue to do that and stay a little bit late,” said Bolton. “I’ve talked to (Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Steve) Spags (Spagnuolo) a little bit on the side and talked to the guys who have been playing and learn from them as well as we go.”

Bolton was a notable Pro Bowl snub from the 2022 season. He recorded two sacks, 180 total tackles, two interceptions, three passes, and one forced fumble. He was second in the NFL in combined and solo tackles.

Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster discusses potentially playing in the season opener vs. Ravens

Kansas City #Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster discusses potentially playing in the season opener vs. Baltimore #Ravens | @EdEastonJr

On Monday, the Kansas City Chiefs brought back a familiar face in wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, resigning him ahead of the 2024 regular season.

Smith-Schuster spoke to reporters after Tuesday’s practice for the first since re-signing with the Chiefs. He explained his decision to rejoin Kansas City after being released by the New England Patriots.

“Just very familiar with the offense. Very familiar with (Head Coach) Andy Reid, Pat (Patrick Mahomes) (and) the guys. “Just being in this facility makes your job a lot easier than going somewhere new, where you kind of got to learn everything pretty quickly,” said Smith-Schuster. “I think the hardest part for an offensive player is going into a new system and having to study a whole new playbook. Being in New England, I studied two playbooks and two offensive playbooks. Being familiar with this playbook.”

Smith-Schuster recorded 29 catches for 260 yards in 11 games (7 starts) last season for the struggling Patriots. He was Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target during the 2022 season and hopes to continue that familiarity in 2024, regardless of whether he’s ready for the regular season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

“Too early to say I just got the playbook. So it’s, some things have changed,” said Smith-Schuster, so just, taking it day by day. But (you) never know.”

Smith-Schuster is a reliable veteran that can play multiple roles in the receivers room. The Chiefs needed reliable hands after last year’s issues with dropped passes.

Chiefs to host Bengals in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season

#Chiefs to host Bengals in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ opponent for week two of the 2024 NFL season has been released. The defending Super Bowl champions will stay home to start the new campaign.

According to the team, the Chiefs will host the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium on CBS on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 3:25 CT. Considering the teams ‘ recent history, the annual battle with Joe Burrow and company will be one of the early-season must-watch matchups. The Patrick Mahomes and Burrow duel was postponed last season due to the latter’s injury, which sidelined him for the rest of the year.

The Bengals fell short of the postseason last year due to injuries and inconsistent play, but following offseason changes, they are still a threat in the AFC. The rivalry may be cooling down since their consecutive AFC Championship game battles in 2021 and 2022, but the quarterback matchup remains the main attraction.

The first two weeks of the season, when the Chiefs host conference rivals from the AFC North, will be the ultimate measuring stick for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. The rest of the Chiefs’ regular season schedule and the other 29 NFL teams will be revealed Wednesday night as the anticipation for a new football season begins.

Chiefs to host Ravens in 2024 NFL season opener

#Chiefs to host Ravens for Week 1 2024 NFL season opener | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ opponent for the 2024 NFL season kickoff has been released.

According to the team, the Chiefs will host the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 5. As the reigning Super Bowl champions, they once again get the first game of the season to celebrate, and they’ll do so against a rival. The Patrick Mahomes-Lamar Jackson duel is front and center again.

The Ravens were the top seed in the AFC playoffs last year but fell to the Chiefs in Baltimore 17-10 in the AFC championship game, spoiling an achievement-filled season for Jackson, who would go on to be named league MVP.

The Chiefs will be seeking a better performance on banner night than their disappointing outing against the Detroit Lions a year ago. Kansas City started last season’s game without Chris Jones because of a contract holdout and Travis Kelce because of an injury in practice. The Lions capitalized on the Chiefs’ mistakes, winning at Arrowhead Stadium 21-20.