According to Jeff Reinebold, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have become into NFL villains, much like Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

In the world of professional sports, there are certain teams and players who dominate the narrative, not just because of their on-field success, but because of their larger-than-life personalities, relentless winning, and polarizing presence. In the NFL, the New England Patriots under Tom Brady became one of the most hated and admired franchises in history due to their consistent dominance, epitomized by their quarterback’s clutch performances and leadership. The Patriots were widely viewed as the NFL’s villains, not just because of their success but also due to their perceived arrogance and disregard for the opposition.

Now, according to Jeff Reinebold, the Kansas City Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, are beginning to fill a similar role. Mahomes and the Chiefs have emerged as one of the most successful and dynamic teams of the 21st century, and, much like Brady and the Patriots, they have earned the title of NFL villains—but for slightly different reasons. Their style, their swagger, and their undeniable ability to win big games have made them a team that everyone loves to hate. In this article, we explore why Mahomes and the Chiefs have become the new villains of the NFL, the factors that contribute to their controversial rise, and the broader implications of this shift in the league’s landscape.

The Rise of the Kansas City Chiefs: From Underachievers to Dominant Force

When Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018, the NFL world was introduced to a new level of excitement and playmaking. The Chiefs, under head coach Andy Reid, had already established themselves as a competitive team, but they were still looking for that one piece to put them over the top. Enter Mahomes, a dynamic and talented young quarterback with an arm that could make every throw on the field.

In just his first full season as a starter, Mahomes threw for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns, leading the Chiefs to the AFC Championship and ultimately to a Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl LIV. The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in a dramatic 31-20 victory, clinching Mahomes’ first Super Bowl title and marking the Chiefs as legitimate contenders in the NFL.

Since then, the Chiefs have remained at the top of the league, winning multiple AFC Championships and Super Bowls, including Super Bowl LV in 2021. Mahomes has solidified himself as one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in NFL history, and the Chiefs have become a staple in postseason contention.

With this sustained success, the Chiefs have become the team to beat, and much like the Patriots before them, that means they have also become the target of resentment from rival fans, players, and even the media.

The Villain Status: Why Mahomes and the Chiefs Are the New Patriots

1. Dominance Over the NFL

Much like the New England Patriots in the 2000s and 2010s, the Kansas City Chiefs have achieved a level of dominance that no one can ignore. The Chiefs have consistently been at the top of the AFC standings, with Mahomes leading the offense and a defense that has developed into a formidable unit under Steve Spagnuolo. This dominance is a primary reason why Mahomes and the Chiefs have earned the title of NFL villains.

The Patriots’ dynasty was built on sustained excellence over many years, with Tom Brady’s leadership and Bill Belichick’s strategic genius. Similarly, the Chiefs have enjoyed a long period of success under Mahomes, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Their consistent playoff appearances, high-scoring offenses, and clutch performances have made them a constant threat in the AFC.

When a team consistently wins, especially in such a fashion as Mahomes and the Chiefs, they naturally garner hate from fanbases across the league. The NFL community has a tendency to favor the underdog or the team that has not yet reached the pinnacle, but Mahomes’ success has overshadowed that narrative, especially given the dramatic nature of some of the Chiefs’ victories.

2. Mahomes’ Swagger and Style of Play

One of the most distinct elements of the Chiefs’ rise has been Patrick Mahomes’ persona and his style of play. Mahomes is not just a great quarterback—he is a playmaker who defies the conventional rules of the position. With his ability to throw across his body, make off-balance throws, and his fearless improvisation, Mahomes is revolutionizing the quarterback position in ways that fans of other teams often find frustrating.

While Mahomes’ athleticism and creativity are admired by fans and analysts, they are also viewed as arrogant and showy by those who are not Chiefs supporters. The no-look passes, deep bombs, and flashy runs contribute to the perception of Mahomes as someone who is playing the game with a level of flair that borders on cocky. While many enjoy watching Mahomes execute these plays, others view it as an exhibition of hubris—much like Brady’s early career, where his swagger was seen as off-putting.

Add in Mahomes’ vibrant personality and the Chiefs’ ever-present confidence, and you have a recipe for the team to be perceived as villains, particularly when they constantly knock off teams fans are rooting for.

3. The Influence of Andy Reid

While Mahomes may be the face of the Chiefs’ success, head coach Andy Reid has been instrumental in cultivating a culture of excellence in Kansas City. Reid, long considered one of the most respected coaches in the NFL, has found immense success in Kansas City after years of coming close but falling short in Philadelphia.

However, Reid’s massive success with the Chiefs has also contributed to their villain status. As a coach who has coached in the NFL for decades and made multiple trips to the playoffs with the Eagles, his ability to out-coach his opponents and adjust game plans with such precision has earned him respect and resentment in equal measure. When you pair a master strategist like Reid with a transcendent talent like Mahomes, it creates a potent combination that no team in the league is eager to face, further fueling the animosity from opposing fanbases.

4. Beating Established Powerhouses

Just like the Patriots did when they consistently knocked off AFC rivals like the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens, the Kansas City Chiefs have followed a similar pattern. Mahomes has faced, and often defeated, some of the league’s most storied franchises, such as the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers, in dramatic fashion.

The Chiefs’ ability to continually overcome these elite teams in the playoffs has led to a feeling of inevitability. Much like Brady and Belichick’s Patriots, the Chiefs under Mahomes are seen by many as a juggernaut that can’t be stopped—leading to the inevitable narrative of them being the “villains” in many fans’ eyes.

5. The “New England Effect”

The most significant reason the Kansas City Chiefs are starting to resemble the New England Patriots as NFL villains, however, is their ability to win in the postseason. Just as Tom Brady’s postseason success was the defining characteristic of the Patriots’ dynasty, Mahomes has quickly cemented himself as the NFL’s most dangerous quarterback in the postseason. His ability to make game-winning plays in critical moments, particularly in Super Bowl LIV against the 49ers and Super Bowl LV against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has drawn comparisons to Brady’s legendary performances in big games.

Furthermore, Mahomes’ playoff heroics often come in the form of dramatic comebacks, like the Chiefs’ incredible 24-point comeback in the 2020 AFC Championship Game against the Houston Texans, or the nail-biting victories in Super Bowl LIV and LV. The high drama of these wins adds fuel to the narrative of Mahomes and the Chiefs being “the team you love to hate,” much in the same way the Patriots and Brady became synonymous with clutch performances in the postseason.

The Reaction from NFL Fans and the Media

As the Kansas City Chiefs continue to dominate the NFL landscape, the reaction from fans and analysts remains a mixed bag. While Mahomes has his fair share of supporters who celebrate his greatness and the Chiefs’ exciting brand of football, there are also legions of fans who view the team as a force to be reckoned with—one that has a deep connection to the Patriots’ dynasty.

For every Chiefs fan cheering Mahomes’ brilliance, there is a fanbase angry that they are constantly overshadowed in the playoffs. The Chiefs, with their high-octane offense and their Super Bowl aspirations, have become a team that fans love to root against. The “villain” persona—one that was once synonymous with the Patriots—is now just as much a part of the Chiefs’ identity.

 Embracing the Role of the Villain

As the Kansas City Chiefs continue to enjoy success under Patrick Mahomes, they have inevitably started to embrace the role of NFL villains. Much like Tom Brady and the New England Patriots before them, the Chiefs have become a dominant force in the league, one that elicits admiration from some and resentment from others. Whether it’s Mahomes’ flashy style, Andy Reid’s coaching genius, or the team’s postseason success, the Chiefs have earned their place as one of the most successful—and polarizing—teams in the NFL.

The “villain” status is part of the territory when you are at the top of the football world, and if anything, it highlights the Chiefs’ extraordinary achievements. In the end, just like Brady and the Patriots, Mahomes and the Chiefs will continue to be the team everyone loves to hate—until they’re dethroned. Until then, they’ll wear the “villain” title proudly as they continue to chase Super Bowl glory.