LAS VEGAS — It was like the boos that he heard from 49ers fans at Allegiant Stadium were injected right into Chris Jones’ veins.
The biggest star on the Chiefs’ defense reveled in the noise Monday at Super Bowl 2024 “Opening Night,” yelling back into the microphone.
It’s not unlike the way the public has gone from rooting for the Chiefs to end a 50-year Super Bowl drought in 2019 to experiencing Chiefs fatigue and casting them as villains.
“Honestly, I get it,” Jones said in a quieter moment. “People get tired of seeing the same people win. They’ve grown accustomed to new guys winning every year, and we’re very fortunate to be in this situation three out of the last four years.”
So, what is Jones’ message to the Chiefs’ haters?
“We appreciate the hate,” Jones said, before slipping into WWE-style smack talk. “Know your role and shut your mouth!”
Sneed’s absence personal
Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed — an All-Pro snub — was not in attendance.
His absence was due to positive personal reasons, according to NFL Network, which is an indication he should be back with teammates by Wednesday’s practice.
Chiefs’ guard day-to-day
The practice outlook is not so rosy for Chiefs left guard Joe Thuney.
He did not play in the AFC Championship game nor practice last week because of a pectoral injury, and he told reporters that he is unsure if he will be back by Wednesday, taking a day-to-day approach.
Kittle plays Bears GM
For now, George Kittle is one of the NFL’s best tight ends. In the future, maybe the 49ers star will try his hand at general manager.
Kittle offered his thoughts on what the Bears should do with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft.
The quarterback conundrum boils down to either trading Justin Fields and drafting a top prospect like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels, or keeping Fields and trading out of No. 1 for the second straight year.
“Personally, I think they should trade back, get as many picks as they can and build around a guy [Fields] that they’ve been trying to build around,” Kittle said. “Help him out as much as you possibly can and help the kid.”
Niners veteran living Super ‘dream’
The last time the 49ers were in the Super Bowl (also against the Chiefs), All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams was engaged in a one-year holdout from Washington — due to a contract dispute and personal grievances relating to a medical exam.
So, to be at the Super Bowl for the first time in his career in Year 14?
“It still feels like a dream,” Williams said.
Mahomes: ’07 Patriots still the best
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said the best team of all time in his opinion is the Patriots’ 2007 team that started 18-0 before losing Super Bowl XLII to the Giants.
McGaughey drawing interest
Thomas McGaughey, the former Giants special teams coordinator, is attracting interest around the league, with the Buccaneers and Titans reportedly reaching out for interviews.
McGaughey’s second coaching stint with the Giants began in 2018 and he worked for Pat Shurmur, Joe Judge and Brian Daboll before getting fired after this past season.