SETH WENIG/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Super Bowl is set. Philadelphia Eagles. Kansas City Chiefs. Here are the game’s most fun and significant storylines as we head into the game.
Jalen Hurts could be first 2020 quarterback to win a Super Bowl
The 2020 draft class has been widely regarded as one of the best quarterback classes in recent memory. Joe Burrow was taken with the first overall pick and has brought great success to the Cincinnati Bengals organization. He was minutes away from completing the task of winning it all a year ago, but fell just short. Tua Tagovailoa was selected fifth overall, and his time in Miami has been plagued by injuries and turmoil. Justin Herbert was then selected with the sixth pick and has quickly become one of the most talented quarterbacks in the game. He was close to his first playoff win this season before the infamous 27-0 collapse by the Los Angeles Chargers. In Green Bay, Jordan Love has yet to come out from behind Aaron Rodgers’ shadow.
Jalen Hurts was not fortunate enough to be selected in the first round of the draft. He was, however, picked in the second round by the Eagles. At the time, the pick was mocked and torched by Eagles fans and media members alike. Howie Roseman had the foresight to move on from Carson Wentz and hand the keys to Hurts and it has paid dividends. In a draft class full of super stars at the top, Hurts could be the first quarterback from the 2020 class to win a Super Bowl.
First Super Bowl to feature two black quarterbacks
For the first time in Super Bowl history, the game will feature two black quarterbacks. There have only been three black quarterbacks to win it. In 1988, Doug Williams led Washington to a 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos. 26 years later, Russell Wilson became the second black quarterback to win the big game with a victory over the Denver Broncos as well. In 2020, Patrick Mahomes defeated the San Francisco 49ers.
Should the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII, Mahomes would be the first black quarterback to win multiple championships. If the Eagles win, Hurts will become the fourth to win a Super Bowl.
Kelce Bowl
On a less serious note, Super Bowl LVII is a matchup between one of the best brother duos in NFL history. Travis and Jason Kelce have been dominant players for nearly a full decade now. Travis has become one of the best tight ends in NFL history, and Jason has been the best center in the NFL for most of his career. The Kelce brothers have made their mark on the NFL and have significantly changed how we view their respective positions. One of them will win their second ring this season.
Andy Reid takes on his former team
Perhaps the most fun story of Super Bowl LVII is that Andy Reid is facing the Philadelphia Eagles. Reid, of course, was the head man in Philadelphia from 1999 to 2012. The Eagles were extremely successful during Reid’s tenure, but they were often noted as unable to win the big games, as they only appeared in the Super Bowl one time. The Eagles ultimately fired Reid after two consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs, and immediately was hired in Kansas City. The rest, as they say, is history.
Under Reid, the Chiefs have made the playoffs all but one season and have gone to five straight AFC Championship Games. They have a chance to win their second Super Bowl in four years. The Chiefs have become the class of the NFL, and the Reid-Mahomes duo is already one of the best of all-time.
Another fun side note here is that Andy Reid opted to let Nick Sirianni walk from the Chiefs’ staff when he was hired in 2013. Now, a decade later, the two coaches meet in the Super Bowl.
