Devin Hester supports new kickoff rules for the NFL
Bears Legend Devin Hester talks about the impact of changes to the new NFL kickoff rules on the return game and special teams.
Seriously sports
st. Joseph, Missouri – There may be a haircut message.
The last time I saw it in live action, Patrick Mahomes was thoroughly handed over to him by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl 59 defeat. Three turnovers. Six sack. There are no 3 peats. It was the most crushed loss of Mahomes’s epic career.
And now, Kansas City Chief Star is changing his appearance during the offseason after “doing” a new one and cutting off a fair amount of hair. For men who are passionate about details, you might wonder if there are serious superstitions in the mix.
Well, that’s not the case.
“I’ve been ready to cut my hair for the past three years,” laughed Mahomes told USA Today Sports after training camp practice last weekend. “We won the Super Bowl for the second year in a row, and even if we win, we said we were getting a haircut this year.
“I’m 30. I wanted to change that. It worked. It’s still a bit curled up. It’s not as long as it used to be.”
No, Mahomes, part 30th His birthday is September 17th, and there is little identity crisis. Now, check his pulse. He knows that even the Super Bowl setback ends his most challenging season is the main reason he is still poised for another run in the Championship.
However, there is no denying that a stabbing in February, a 40-22 loss drove Mahome in the months leading up to the next season. A long month. Calling it motivating fuel may seem trivial, but that’s how he puts it down. And he is someone who has three Super Bowl MVP trophies. He is the one who apologised to Chiefs fans on social media, bemoaning his performance at a post-game press conference. He is a man who must live to the high standards that everyone begins with himself has for him.
He is a very winner and whether fair or not, the season will be judged as to whether the Chiefs will win the Super Bowl. It reminded Mahomes of what he said up to Super Bowl 59. He was not hesitant to identify the Super Bowl 55 loss against the Bucs.
Consider Super Bowl 59 now. It could give him a nightmare.
“When you get it far away and you’re the last time, it just hurts,” Mahomes said. “You did a huge job on it, so it’s always hard to lose that last step. But that’s how you react. We thought it was just right after that last Super Bowl loss.
“So, now, ‘Where are we going now? Are we going to get even better from that loss? Are we going to find a way to make everyone better, not just one person?” It feels like we’ve done it at camp.
Of course, it’s as great as Mahomes, but that’s never the case for every player. The two biggest questions at Chiefs Training Camp revolve around the development of an overhauled attack line and wide receiver squad.
Mahomes absorbed a career-high six sacks in the Super Bowl, reflecting his O-line against the powerful front in Philadelphia, absorbing without a single blitz – was not just an anomaly. He was fired 36 times a career-high during the regular season.
And the issue of protecting his blind side was protruding. Kansas City started four players with left tackle last season. The patchwork arrangement worked well enough for the Chiefs to reach the Super Bowl, but the shortage was further exposed at the most important time.
The overhauled line included Sunny’s trade with the Chicago Bears and a first round selection for Ohio’s product Josh Simons, the predicted answer at the left tackle.
Meanwhile, just like last year, the Chiefs are hoping to add punches with a consistent, deep passing game. The injury undermined efforts last season (first to marquee “Hollywood” Brown and then Russie Rice).
The 2024 Mahomes ’26 touchdown pass is tied to the lowest total of his career as a starter, and was not selected for the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2018.
Therefore, there were several important markers that highlighted the challenges of Mahome in trying to establish a consistent rhythm. Certainly, the Chiefs finished 15-2 and won their ninth consecutive AFC West title. But there was too much intimate call for comfort when the game descends onto the wire. And too often, Mahomes missed the connection to big plays slightly.
“There’s something we need to do better,” Mahomes said. “Especially myself. I have played on soccer fields that I’ve never made last year. I made it the previous year. I’m going to do whatever it takes to win at the end of the day. I’m going to do whatever it takes to win. I don’t go past a lot of yards, or not. I’m going to make them play for free and make the team play more freely.”
Mahomes knows the ceremony better than most, as the chiefs advance to the AFC title as starters in each of at least seven seasons. Then add another fire to the equation, flowing from super embarrassment.
“It’s just trying to find some little things to get better by giving some training and a little extra in those film sessions,” Mahomes said. “You try to do it when you’re successful, but sometimes you’re happy as you succeed. Obviously, you don’t want to lose the game, but you can motivate a little more to get even better.”
This is a very cautious warning for the rest of the NFL.
Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow us on social media: X:@jarrettbell
Bluesky: jarrettbell.bsky.social
