The reigning AFC champions, Kansas City Chiefs, opened their mandatory minicamp this week, and while the sting of their 40-22 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX still lingers, there was no shortage of energy or optimism on day one.
Patrick Mahomes, the face of the franchise and arguably the entire NFL, brought his usual charisma to the practice field.
In a moment that quickly lit up social media, he was seen juggling a football with his feet, mimicking soccer footwork in a way that drew comparisons to Lionel Messi.
And while Mahomes may not have a World Cup or Ballon d’Or to his name, fans were more than satisfied with his three Super Bowl rings.
Jokes and admiration soon filled the comment sections, with some users calling for AI bot Grok to generate an image of Mahomes wearing a Real Madrid jersey.
Chiefs bring back familiar face
Adding to the excitement was the surprise appearance of Alex Smith, the man who once held the reins in Kansas City before passing the torch to Mahomes.
Smith, who posted an impressive 50-26 record as the Chiefs’ starter from 2013 to 2017 and led them to four playoff berths, is unofficially stepping in as a mentor for the team’s young quarterbacks.
Though not officially on the coaching staff, Smith‘s presence stirred enthusiasm among fans, many of whom believe he deserves a permanent role within the franchise.
The quarterback-turned-broadcaster is still revered in Kansas City, not just for his on-field contributions, but for the instrumental role he played in Mahomes‘ development.
The sight of Mahomes and Smith reuniting on the field added a layer of sentiment to the day. For fans, it was a reminder of how foundational Smith was in shaping the Chiefs’ modern era of dominance.
Messi’s presence loomed large over Super Bowl LIX
Ahead of the Super Bowl earlier this year, Mahomes was told that Messi would be in the stands. Asked about the legendary Argentine forward, the Chiefs quarterback didn’t hesitate to praise him.
“He’s the GOAT of his profession, and to have someone like that at the game will be awesome because I’ll get to showcase who I am and what talent I have,” Mahomes said.
Kansas City struggled to keep pace with Philadelphia, and if not for two garbage-time touchdowns, the scoreline might have gone down as the most lopsided in Super Bowl history.
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