The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles got their first full exposure this week to the Super Bowl spotlight, as both teams headed to the Caesars Superdome to answer a variety of questions. The Eagles were first up, with the likes of Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown drawing sizable crowds. But paled in comparison to the swarm of media that flocked to Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid.
Here’s a look back at the notable highlights from the night:
Travis Kelce talks Taylor Swift’s influence
It wouldn’t have been Super Bowl Opening Night without a few questions about Taylor Swift for Travis Kelce.
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The Chiefs tight end was asked about how he tries to match the energy of the pop superstar, whom he has been dating since 2023.
‘I better hold up my end of the bargain, right?’ Kelce said. ‘If she’s out here being the superstar she is, never taking no for an answer, and always working her tail off, I better match that energy for sure.’
Travis Kelce opens up on playing in Super Bowl after Jason’s retirement
Super Bowl 59 is a rematch of the Chiefs and Eagles’ title showdown from two years prior, but Jason Kelce’s absence is one of several notable differences from the initial meeting.
The six-time All-Pro center for the Eagles came up on the losing side of the sibling rivalry in the last Super Bowl matchup, and he retired after last season. With Jason now embarking on his broadcasting career with ESPN, Travis said he misses facing off against his brother but understands the decision to step away from the game.
‘Of course I wish Jason was at there,’ Travis Kelce said. Being at the mountaintop with your brother is something special that I’ll never forget. … I wish he would have played another year, but he’s very content where he is in life right now and I’m happy as hell for him. He gets to be around his family and his baby girls a little bit more.
‘I’ll go out there and try to represent the family as best I can.’
Patrick Mahomes explains shock at Luka Doncic trade
Like everyone else, Patrick Mahomes couldn’t believe that the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers this weekend.
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback – who is a Whitehouse, Texas, native and avowed Mavericks fan – explained his stunned reaction on Monday night after initially writing ‘I’m sick rn….’ in reference to the deal.
‘It’s tough, you know, because I’ve watched (Doncic) since he was 18 years old,’ Mahomes said at Super Bowl Opening Night. ‘I remember going to a practice and it was Dirk (Nowitzki) and Luka, and seeing his maturation and how great of a basketball he has became (sic), it’s been fun to watch.
‘As a Dallas fan, it hurts me. But I’m happy for him that he’s going to be able to go out there and be in LA and try to achieve his dream of winning a championship. He did so much, not only for the basketball team but for the city of Dallas, so I’ll always be appreciative of those years. But I’m excited for the Mavericks moving forward and the guys they brought in.’
Carson Wentz remembers Philly days fondly
The last time Carson Wentz reached the Super Bowl stage, he was sidelined by a torn ACL suffered during the Eagles’ title run in the 2017 season.
Wentz will be facing his former team in Super Bowl 59 as Patrick Mahomes’ backup, but he said he holds no ill will against the Eagles after his 2021 trade to the Indianapolis Colts.
‘Obviously it was a tough ending, without a doubt,’ Wentz said in an interview with CBS Philadelphia. ‘It was a COVID year, too, so everything about it was weird with the way it unfolded. But a lot of great memories. … There’s definitely no hard feelings. You wish it would have went a different way and all those things, but you can’t really have regrets on that front.’
A.J. Brown gives Cliffs Notes on his sideline book habit
A.J. Brown created quite a stir when he was spotted reading a book on the sideline during a game, but the Eagles’ star receiver said it was something he began to develop his focus.
‘One day, I just brought the book out – I think the Cleveland week,’ Brown said. ‘We played Cleveland and I brought it out. That was my first game back, and I was just trying to stay locked in and let the game come to me. As receivers, we want the ball and we want to do this, we want to do that. But there’s so much out of our control. … I know it’s unorthodox. You don’t see stuff like that. But to be honest, I don’t really care how people may perceive it.’
Jeffrey Lurie shoots down Celtics rumors
Don’t expect Jeffrey Lurie to be expanding his empire into another sports league.
The Eagles owner and Boston native shot down speculation that he could buy the defending-champion Boston Celtics, who have been put up for sale.
“I would never say never, but I’m not looking to own another sports franchise,’ Lurie said on Monday, according to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe. ‘The Celtics again are exceptional, they’re so well run, they’re so talented, it’s my childhood team. However, I do not expect that to happen.”
Saquon gets another shot in on Giants
Jameis Winston already can eat a W with one of his first acts as a digital correspondent for Fox Sports at the Super Bowl.
The quarterback, who is set to be a free agent, asked Saquon Barkley which team he should sign with this offseason.
Barkley: ‘I think New York needs a quarterback right now.’
A surprise Ochocinco sighting
Super Bowl Opening Night is full of hijinks, and a former NFL great got in on the act on Monday evening.
Chad Johnson decided to interrupt Eagles coach Nick Sirianni’s session to show some love.
Saquon Barkley’s impact hard to overstate
Even though his Eagles teammates watch him in practice every day, the feats of Saquon Barkley aren’t lost on his peers.
‘We have a superstar running back who’s incredible,’ wide receiver A.J. Brown said. ‘We’re trying to do everything possible to make sure he’s doing what he’s supposed to do. … The team has just bought in, win after win, and here we are. We’re just trying to finish.’
Said right tackle Lane Johnson: ‘It’s a lot of fun when you have a guy with the capability to take it to the house every time he touches it.’
Barkley, who is playing in his first Super Bowl after spending the first six seasons of his career with the New York Giants, said reaching this stage would be a highlight in a season full of personal achievements, including coming within striking distance of Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. Winning the NFC title game while surrounded by family only amplified the significance of the moment, Barkley said.
‘Those are people that have been with me this whole time, so hopefully we can create another special moment,’ Barkley said.
Eagles up first at Super Bowl Opening Night
The action at Caesars Superdome has officially begun, with the Eagles first to meet the media.
More Roger Goodell takeaways
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was asked about an array of topics at his pre-Super Bowl news conference, including an 18-game season, the possibility of an international Super Bowl and more.
For Goodell’s comments on league officiating and six takeaways from the session, check out Chris Bumbaca’s story from New Orleans.
Roger Goodell sees no problem with Tom Brady’s handling of dual announcer/part-owner role
When Tom Brady’s minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders was finalized in October, many questioned how he would avoid what seemed like inevitable conflicts of interest given the continuation of his broadcast duties with Fox.
But NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says that he has been pleased with how Brady has navigated the guardrails the league has enacted to combat any potential issues.
‘Tom has been incredibly cooperative,’ Goodell said. ‘He calls frequently about it and says, ‘Am I doing OK?’ And I think he’s serious about making sure he separates these two (jobs) and doesn’t put the league or anyone in a position of conflict.’
Roger Goodell: ‘Ridiculous’ to think NFL officiating benefits Chiefs
In his news conference Monday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the theory that that officiating was repeatedly benefitting the Kansas City Chiefs was ‘ridiculous.’
‘This sort of reminds me a little bit of the script, right? … A lot of those theories are things that happen in social media,’ Goodell said.
Super Bowl’s all-time greatest players, games and teams
Before getting deep into Super Bowl 59, let’s embark on a history lesson.
USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis has given a thorough breakdown of the greatest players, games and teams that the Super Bowl stage has ever seen. The Chiefs, in particular, figure prominently in all three lists, though the Eagles also have had their share of signature moments.
Check out all three before Super Bowl Opening Night begins.
Greatest Super Bowl games: Ranking all from 1-58
Greatest Super Bowl teams: Not all were winners
Greatest Super Bowl players: Who from Chiefs, Eagles made cut?
When is Super Bowl Opening Night?
Super Bowl Opening Night is set for Monday starting at 8 p.m. ET. It will be broadcast on NFL Network and streamed on Fubo.
Who’s set to speak at Super Bowl Opening Night?
All players and coaches from both teams will be available for interviews, but 11 from each side will be chosen to speak at risers.
Eagles
1. WR DeVonta Smith
2. WR A.J. Brown
3. QB Jalen Hurts
4. RB Saquon Barkley
5. T Lane Johnson
6. T Jordan Mailata
7. TE Dallas Goedert
8. LB Zack Baun
9. CB Darius Slay
10. HC Nick Sirianni
11. DE Brandon Graham
Chiefs
1. DT Chris Jones
2. LB Nick Bolton
3 QB Patrick Mahomes
4. TE Travis Kelce
5. S Justin Reid
6. CB Trent McDuffie
7. RB Isiah Pacheco
8. K Harrison Butker
9. WR DeAndre Hopkins
10. HC Andy Reid
11. WR Xavier Worthy
When is Super Bowl 59?
Super Bowl 59 will kick off Sunday, Feb. 9, at 6:30 p.m. ET in New Orleans.