NEW ORLEANS — As Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to face off against Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, they must navigate a flood of media appearances leading up to the game.
This bustling week kicks off on Monday with Super Bowl opening night, an event known for its unconventional and often overwhelming atmosphere for teams not accustomed to the media frenzy.
The Chiefs are no strangers to this scenario, having made it to the Super Bowl five times in the last six years, while the Eagles return hopeful after narrowly losing to Kansas City in 2023.
Despite both teams featuring several new players, they are likely to handle the unique questions and oddball requests that typify this media occasion with ease. Players might be asked to show off their dance moves, partake in amusing skits, or even have playful banter regarding their personal lives. Mahomes could find himself the subject of comments about his physique, and Kelce will likely receive inquiries about his high-profile girlfriend, Taylor Swift, and his brother Jason, a former Eagles player who faced the Chiefs two years ago.
The bizarre antics of media day are not a new phenomenon; for instance, a reporter once appeared in a wedding dress in 2008 to propose to Tom Brady, who graciously declined.
For the first night of the festivities, the tactical aspects of football take a backseat.
Media day has transformed from a daytime Tuesday occurrence into a lively, ticketed event broadcasted live during prime time. For last year’s Super Bowl, over 6,000 journalists from 26 different countries were credentialed to cover the event held in Las Vegas.
This year, New Orleans is hosting its 11th Super Bowl, the first since the Baltimore Ravens triumphed over the San Francisco 49ers in what was known as the Harbaugh Brothers Bowl back in 2012.
The Chiefs are on the quest for history as they attempt to become the first team in the Super Bowl era to win three consecutive titles, while the Eagles are striving to secure their second Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Both teams arrived in town on Sunday, and on Monday night, all players and coaches will face the media for one hour. Additionally, select players, including head coaches and quarterbacks, will have media sessions scheduled for the subsequent days leading up to the game.
With such a chaotic schedule ahead, the groundwork for game preparations has been laid out during the previous week. Each team has already implemented game strategies and conducted regular practices, as this week is anything but routine.
“Most of that work gets done this week,” remarked Chiefs coach Andy Reid last week. “I recognize that there’s a two-week lead-up to the game, but once you arrive in New Orleans, things tend to get a bit hectic, so it’s crucial to handle business beforehand.”
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni mentioned he has learned from his first Super Bowl experience and is making adjustments but refrained from divulging specifics about those changes.
“We have notes that we’re reviewing and have been going through,” he stated. “A few tweaks here and there on what will change, while some elements will remain the same. Anytime you encounter a situation like this, you take notes and aim to improve based on previous experiences.”
Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will be under scrutiny this week, as he is a leading candidate for the head coaching position with the Saints. Although he cannot officially take the job until after the Super Bowl, he must also prepare to build a coaching staff while staying focused on the game at hand.
Maintaining focus will be essential for both teams, as combating distractions, particularly on this opening night, could be a crucial factor in their pursuit of victory come Sunday.
