‘We’re playing for history’: As Chiefs open camp, players talk about three-peat quest

Red and gold confetti was still flittering inside Allegiant Stadium in February as the Chiefs prepared to receive another Lombardi Trophy.

An epic party was about to start, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ thoughts had already turned further to the future.

Mahomes carried 3-year-old daughter, Sterling, in one arm as he approached teammate Chris Jones. The two hugged and Mahomes delivered a message following that Super Bowl LVIII victory over the 49ers.

“We ain’t done, dog,” Mahomes said. “I want three.”

The Chiefs were just the eighth team in NFL history to win consecutive Super Bowls, but as they open camp Tuesday in St. Joseph ahead of the 2024 NFL season, their focus is on doing something unprecedented. Those other seven teams that won two straight Super Bowls all fell short of making it three in a row.

That includes the 1970s Steelers, who won four Super Bowls in a six-year span but couldn’t do it. Joe Montana and the 49ers fell short, too. Ditto for Tom Brady and the Patriots during their dynasty.

That place in history is what motivates the Chiefs.

“Everybody talks about it,” linebacker Nick Bolton said. “(There’s been) an undefeated season, it’s been done before. Winning back-to-back Super Bowls, that’s been done before. To be on your own in history, I think that’s special. I think everyone strives to be the No. 1 team to ever do that. We’ve got a lot of guys on our team that are gonna get a lot of credit when they get done playing, hang the cleats up, but I think being on top of the list would be three Super Bowls in a row. That’s never been done before.

“I know Pat and Trav (tight end Travis Kelce), those guys, man, they’re hungry for it. We’re hungry for it.”

Like the ‘72 Dolphins

One of the stranger storylines of the Chiefs offseason has been about Mahomes’ future.

No, Mahomes isn’t thinking about retirement at age 28, nor will that happen anytime soon. However, Mahomes did talk about what it would be like to gather with his teammates when their playing days are over should they become the NFL’s first three-peat Super Bowl champion.

“You’ve already made your imprint on history, but now there’s something that no one’s done in the Super Bowl era,” Mahomes said. “Obviously the Packers before there was the Super Bowl, but in the Super Bowl era, no one’s won three in a row. And that kind of just takes you to another upper level, I guess you could say, as a team.”

Mahomes mentioned the 1972 Miami Dolphins who remain the only undefeated Super Bowl champion. Players from that team famously would meet after the last unbeaten NFL team lost during a season.

“If we’re able to do that,” Mahomes said of a three-peat, “we kind of hopefully could be like the Dolphins and the undefeated season that they had. Every time it doesn’t happen, we might be able to get back together and get some drinks. So it’s kind of something like that, that you’ll be able to have these memories with someone forever.”

The lure of a three-peat was part of the reason why defensive linemen Chris Jones and Mike Danna returned to the Chiefs in the offseason. Jones mentioned the three-peat at the Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII celebration at Union Station.

Danna talked about it after signing a three-year deal with the Chiefs in April.

“I prioritized winning, the family I’ve built here, my brotherhood,” Danna said. “I just like being here, I look forward to going to work every day. When you’ve got that feeling, you don’t really want to let it go. There is always elsewhere, but I have a lot of stuff invested here, a lot of work, a lot of grind, a lot of sweat and tears.

“Why not go for a three-peat? Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of this journey? I prioritize winning, there’s no (other) organization right now that is like this.”

For the fans

For Kelce, his spot in NFL history is secure. He’s set multiple records and could end up being the best tight end in league history. His bust will be in Canton.

But now he’s chasing another piece of immortality. A three-peat wouldn’t be historic just for the players. It would be something for the fans and Kansas City could relish.

“It’s a testament to the hard work, dedication and talent of this team, the coaching staff, and the entire organization,” Kelce said. “Personally, it’s a mix of excitement and responsibility. We’re not just playing for ourselves; we’re playing for history, for our fans, for Kansas City. It’s an opportunity to leave a legacy that’s bigger than football.”