The Cincinnati Bengals played a part in helping the Kansas City Chiefs surge to this year’s Super Bowl.
And not in all the ways fans might expect.
While the two teams met twice again this year, including the finale in the AFC title game, Chiefs coaches say what the Bengals did to Patrick Mahomes and Co. in 2021 fueled this year’s motivation.
Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy told reporters that the frustrating second half and overtime against the Bengals in last year’s AFC title game majorly helped spawn Mahomes’ likely MVP campaign this season and he agreed it was a “turning point” for the Chiefs quarterback.
“You have to understand, Patrick will always be a competitor and that’s who he is. When it’s all said and done, what doesn’t kill you is going to make you stronger,” Bieniemy said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “After going through that experience, he’s worked his tail off this entire offseason. But on top of that, he wants to be a better teammate but also by being accountable and helping those guys around him to play better. If anything, it’s helped him grow. It’s just a sign of maturity. You have to understand, as great as he is as a quarterback, he’s still a young kid in this game. He’s still learning the nuances of the game.”
One could argue, in part due to the ankle injury, the Bengals still majorly flustered Mahomes in this year’s title game, too. But the commentary goes beyond simple stat lines, pointing to his growth as a teammate and leader. Despite all he’s accomplished, it’s easy to forget Mahomes is only 27 years old.
Luckily for the Bengals, they’ve got a guy right in line with Mahomes in Joe Burrow. And that leadership was on full display when the quarterbacks talked to each other right after the AFC title game this year.
