Tag: Chiefs

Feb 14, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general overall aerial view of Kauffman Stadium (foreground) and Arrowhead Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Missouri governor signs off on financial aid for Chiefs, Royals stadiums

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed off on legislation that could provide millions of dollars for stadium upgrades for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

Under the bill approved in a special session Wednesday by Missouri lawmakers, the state agreed to authorize bonds to pay for up to half of the cost to build or renovate a stadium, as well as offer tax credits. Local governments also would provide unspecifed assistance.

The two teams play at the Truman Sports Complex, with their stadiums side by side. Arrowhead Stadium opened in 1972 as the home of the Chiefs, with the Royals moving into what now is called Kauffman Stadium the following season.

Though still aesthetically pleasing, the two stadiums are among the oldest in their sports.

In the NFL, only the Chicago Bears (Soldier Field, built in 1924) and Green Bay Packers (Lambeau Field, 1957) play in older venues. In Major League Baseball, only the Boston Red Sox (Fenway Park, 1912), Chicago Cubs (Wrigley Field, 1914), Los Angeles Dodgers (Dodger Stadium, 1962) and Los Angeles Angels (Angel Stadium, 1966) have stadiums with a longer life span.

The signed bill in Missouri applies to any assistance for any NFL or MLB team that wants to undergo a stadium renovation or build of at least $500 million. That means the St. Louis Cardinals also could get financial aid should they want to improve Busch Stadium, which opened in 2006 amid a wave of new stadiums.

The Chiefs and Royals have a looming deadline, however.

In an effort to lure the teams to Kansas, that state last year authorized the issuance of bonds for as much as 70 percent of the cost of new stadiums. That offer is scheduled to expire June 30.

Kansas City, Mo., tucked in the northwest corner of the state, sits right on the border with Kansas. Kansas City, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo. are separated by just four miles, for example.

Neither team has discounted a move to Kansas.

The Chiefs previously unveiled renderings for a proposed multimillion dollar renovation of Arrowhead Stadium. The Royals have said they want to move from Kauffman Stadium, preferably to a new ballpark downtown.

In April 2024, voters in Jackson County, Mo., rejected a sales tax measure that would have helped to pay for Arrowhead renovations and a stadium for the Royals.

The teams’ leases for their existing stadiums expire in January 2031.

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Chris Conley (18) gestures after a catch by fullback Kyle Juszczyk (not shown) during the third quarter against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

WR Chris Conley retires from NFL to attend film school

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Wide receiver Chris Conley is retiring from the NFL after 10 seasons to pursue a career as a filmmaker.

Conley’s second act will begin by attending film school at his alma mater Georgia, his agent Jonathan Perzley told NFL Network on Saturday.

Conley appeared in 132 games (65 starts) with five teams, catching 226 passes for 2,998 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Conley, 32, most recently played for the San Francisco 49ers (2023-24) following stints with the Kansas City Chiefs (2015-18), Jacksonville Jaguars (2019-20), Houston Texans (2021-22) and Tennessee Titans (2022).

The Chiefs drafted Conley in the third round in 2015. He set career highs in catches (47) and yards (775) with the Jaguars in 2019. He played in Super Bowl LVIII with the 49ers, losing 25-22 to the Chiefs.

–Field Level Media

NFL Atlanta Falcons punter Dustin Colquitt

Former All-Pro P Dustin Colquitt retires as a Chief after signing 1-day deal

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Former Pro Bowl punter Dustin Colquitt signed a one-day contract with Kansas City so he could retire as a Chief, the team announced on Wednesday.

Colquitt, 43, has not played since the 2021 season, when he appeared in five games with the Cleveland Browns. He played 15 of 17 seasons with the Chiefs, winning a Super Bowl in the 2019 campaign and voted to Pro Bowls in 2012 and 2016.

He averaged 44.8 yards in punting 1,198 times for 53,660 yards in 255 regular-season games with 103 touchbacks and 483 boots inside the 20-yard line. He had six blocked.

The Chiefs selected Colquitt in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. He played for the Chiefs (2005-19), Pittsburgh Steelers (2020), Jacksonville Jaguars (2020), Atlanta Falcons (2021) and Browns (2021).

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) greets Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) following Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Chiefs to visit Cowboys for Thanksgiving Day showdown

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Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will visit the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 27 for the latter’s traditional Thanksgiving Day game, CBS announced on Wednesday morning.

Mahomes is set to play in Arlington, Texas, for the first time in his professional career. The Tyler, Texas native watched as Alex Smith started for Kansas City in its last road game versus Dallas in 2017.

Mahomes has faced the Cowboys just once in his career once, leading the Chiefs to a 19-9 victory in Kansas City on Nov. 21, 2021.

The Chiefs will play on Thanksgiving Day for the first time since 2006.

Kansas City also has a holiday game this season on Christmas night when it hosts the Denver Broncos.

Dallas will visit the Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL regular-season opener on Sept. 4.

The full NFL schedule will be announced Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.

–Field Level Media

Jan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) rolls out to throw against the Houston Texans during the third quarter of a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Chiefs playing on Christmas again vs. Broncos; Bears-Eagles on Black Friday

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The Kansas City Chiefs will play on Christmas Day for the third year in a row, as Amazon Prime Video announced Monday it will carry the Chiefs’ home game against the Denver Broncos on Christmas night.

The Chiefs faced a different AFC West rival on Christmas in 2023 when they lost to the visiting Las Vegas Raiders 20-14. Last year, they went to Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers 29-10.

That will be the final game of a Christmas tripleheader, which the NFL plans to stage going forward after holding three games in 2024, when Christmas fell on a Wednesday.

As marquee NFL games continue to trickle out ahead of the full schedule reveal Wednesday, another holiday game was announced: The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will host the Chicago Bears on Black Friday, Nov. 28.

Also, the Eagles will visit the Washington Commanders on Saturday, Dec. 20, as part of a doubleheader that also includes the Bears hosting the rival Green Bay Packers.

–Field Level Media

Texas Tech alum and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes attends a press conference at Jones AT&T Stadium, Friday, August 23, 2024.

Patrick Mahomes enters high school HOF, partners with Texas schools

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Three-time Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes was among nine people enshrined in the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame on Saturday — and he left a piece of himself in his home state.

Mahomes played at Whitehouse High School, near Tyler, Texas, and went on to Texas Tech before the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Mahomes announced on Instagram after the ceremony that he and his sponsor, Adidas, will be partnering with 15 high schools, including his alma mater.

“Whitehouse, Texas is where it all began,” Mahomes said. “It’s an honor to be inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame.”

He continued:

“As a part of this recognition, I’m proud to announce that @adidasfballus and I are signing 15 high schools to Team Mahomes that will represent my Gladiator logo on uniform, starting with Whitehouse High School. This is just the beginning.”

Mahomes played football, basketball and baseball at Whitehouse, graduating in 2014. As a senior, he passed for 4,619 yards and 50 touchdowns, and he also ran for 948 yards and 15 scores.

Last summer, Texas Tech signed on to the Gladiator team, becoming the first program to have the logo featured on official collegiate apparel.

Other benefits available to the high school team under the partnership were not announced.

Also enshrined Saturday was Robert Griffin III, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner. He played at Copperas Cove High School, near Waco, Texas, before enrolling at Baylor in 2008.

–Field Level Media

Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes tackle Josh Simmons is selected as the No. 32 pick by the Kansas City Chiefs during the NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chiefs OT Josh Simmons, first-round pick, signs rookie deal

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Offensive tackle Josh Simmons signed his four-year, $14.7 million rookie contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday.

The team made the agreement with the 32nd overall pick official with a photo of Simmons signing the document.

Spotrac reported the contract is fully guaranteed and comes with a $7.3 million signing bonus. As is standard for first-round picks, the contract includes a fifth-year team option.

Simmons is working back to full health in hopes of becoming a major piece of the reconfigured puzzle that is Kansas City’s offensive line in 2025. He was hand-selected by head coach Andy Reid — himself a former offensive lineman and OL coach — who endorsed Simmons as a “true left tackle” based on his game film at San Diego State and Ohio State.

Chiefs left guard Joe Thuney was traded to the Chicago Bears in March, when Kansas City signed former San Francisco 49ers tackle Jaylon Moore. The Chiefs used the franchise tag to retain right guard Trey Smith, and 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia could work his way onto a role with the front five.

Simmons was the eighth offensive lineman taken in the first round of the 2025 draft.

Simmons, 22, tore his left patellar tendon in October and missed Ohio State’s push to the national championship.

“I think everyone knows that when he’s healthy and with the tape he had early on last year before the injury, it puts him in the upper echelon of what he could be as a future starter and difference-maker at left tackle,” Chiefs GM Brett Veach said last month. “Had it not been for that injury, he’s probably not there.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 3, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during Super Bowl LIX Opening Night at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chiefs pick up options for Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis

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The Kansas City Chiefs are picking up the options for 2022 first-round picks Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis, ESPN reported Tuesday.

McDuffie, 24, was drafted 21st overall and now is in line to earn $13.632 million in 2026. The All-Pro cornerback has started 43 games, recording two interceptions, seven forced fumbles, 4.5 sacks and 183 tackles.

Karlaftis, 24, was the No. 30 pick and is set to earn $15.196 million in 2026. The defensive end has recorded 24.5 sacks, 56 quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries and 115 tackles in 49 games (44 starts).

The two defensive pillars helped the Chiefs win Super Bowls LVII and LVIII before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles last season in Super Bowl LIX.

–Field Level Media

Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Utah State wideout Jalen Royals (WO38) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Grading the Chiefs’ Draft

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Grade: A-

Best Pick: WR Jalen Royals, No. 133 Overall

What We Liked: The Chiefs managed to solve their offensive tackle problem thanks to the fall of Josh Simmons, which feels reminiscent of the Trey Smith pick from 2021. As usual, the Chiefs are playing to consensus, picking up talented fallers such as Royals and Ashton Gillotte, who have the production and athleticism to become quick starters. The Chiefs are sticking to the strategy that turned them into perennial Super Bowl contenders. Good stuff.

Not Sure About: That Omarr Norman-Lott pick feels like a disaster waiting to happen. It’s hard to trust a player who isn’t taking a majority of the snaps for his defense, and to take him on Day 2 is suspect. Also, Jeffrey Bassa strikes me as a nothing burger player with limited upside and is not someone who projects to have a role starting anytime soon or even a role on special teams.

–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (91) eacts after the losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jets agree to terms with former Chiefs DT Derrick Nnadi

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Defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi has reached a contract agreement with the New York Jets, his agents announced Sunday.

Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed for Nnadi, a key performer for the Kansas City Chiefs during the team’s three Super Bowl championships over his seven NFL seasons.

The 28-year-old has started 87 of 115 games in Kansas City, with 2024 being his least productive season as a pro. Last year, Nnadi had just 11 tackles and one start.

Conversely, Nnadi started 86 games over his first six seasons, with 222 tackles (37 per season) and five sacks.

The Jets have taken a platoon approach to refortifying their defensive tackle position this offseason, signing Byron Cowart and Jay Tufele in addition to Nnadi. Those three were signed as replacements for Javon Kinlaw, who started all 17 games for the Jets in 2024 before departing in free agency for the Washington Commanders.

–Field Level Media