WATCH: how Travis Kelce Assigns Blame After Super Bowl Blowout…see more

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The Kansas City Chiefs entered Super Bowl 59 with high hopes, ready to defend their championship legacy. But on this fateful night, the Philadelphia Eagles delivered a performance that left the Chiefs reeling, securing a decisive 40-22 victory.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, known for his resilience and ability to make magic happen under pressure, struggled against the relentless Eagles defense. Philadelphia’s defensive front put on a masterclass, sacking Mahomes a career-high six times. Despite his best efforts, Mahomes finished the game completing 21 of 32 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns. However, his performance was marred by turnovers—a fumble and two costly interceptions, one of which was a pick-six returned 38 yards by Eagles rookie Cooper DeJean.

Tight end Travis Kelce, one of the most reliable weapons in the Chiefs’ arsenal, had a modest performance with four receptions for 39 yards. Despite the setback, he managed to surpass Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s record for most career Super Bowl receptions, bringing his total to 35. But for Kelce, personal milestones paled in comparison to the sting of defeat.

Kelce chose not to address the media at the podium, but in the locker room, he spoke candidly about the team’s struggles.

“You know, hats off to the Eagles, man,” Kelce began, his voice steady but filled with disappointment. “They got after us, all three phases.”

When asked about what went wrong, he didn’t shy away from accountability.

“We couldn’t get it going offensively,” he admitted. “They just got after us on all three phases, and on top of that, turnovers, penalties, playing behind the sticks on offense, dropped passes. We didn’t take advantage of the play calls and didn’t execute them.”

Kelce’s frustration was evident. The Chiefs, a team known for their resilience and ability to adjust, seemed unable to generate the spark they desperately needed. Every drive was met with adversity, and each mistake compounded the pressure. The Eagles, with their relentless energy, capitalized on every miscue.

While the Chiefs’ defense managed to contain Eagles running back Saquon Barkley—holding the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year to just 57 yards on 25 carries—it wasn’t enough. Philadelphia’s offense found other ways to exploit the Chiefs, and Kansas City’s defensive efforts, though commendable in stopping Barkley, couldn’t keep the Eagles out of the end zone.

Reflecting on the game, Kelce pointed out what hurt the most.

“We haven’t played that bad all year,” he said, shaking his head. “Just couldn’t find that spark, couldn’t find that momentum… This team is gonna fight till the end forever, and you saw that. Even with the score late, we’re always gonna fight.”

Despite trailing 24-0 at halftime, the Chiefs refused to roll over. Mahomes and company battled until the final whistle, attempting to claw their way back into the game. There was never a moment of surrender. In the locker room at halftime, Kelce and his teammates still believed a comeback was possible.

“Never lose doubt. Never lose faith, especially at the half,” he said.

But as the final minutes ticked away, the realization of defeat set in. The Chiefs, who had been on the cusp of cementing their dynasty with another Super Bowl victory, were left to grapple with the bitter taste of a loss they never saw coming.

After the game, head coach Andy Reid addressed the team with a message that resonated deeply.

“This one’s gonna hurt,” Reid admitted. “Let it hurt and figure out how to get better because of it.”

For a team built on perseverance and excellence, those words carried weight. This loss wasn’t just a setback; it was a challenge. A moment to reflect, to learn, and to come back stronger.

The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to adversity. They’ve defied the odds before, proving time and time again that they belong among the league’s elite. This defeat, as painful as it was, would not define them. Instead, it would serve as motivation—a reminder that championships aren’t given, they’re earned.

As Kelce and his teammates left the stadium that night, there was no doubt that they would return, hungrier than ever. The road back to the Super Bowl would be grueling, but if there’s one thing the Chiefs have proven, it’s that they thrive under pressure. They’ll take this loss, fuel their determination, and use it as a stepping stone for the next challenge ahead.

Because for Kansas City, the fight never ends.

See More: Chiefs player speaks out after Patrick Mahomes skipped him while greeting teammates during Super Bowl loss

Toward the end of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss Sunday, Patrick Mahomes greeted some of his fellow offensive players, giving high-fives and sharing hugs.

But one player — running back Samaje Perine — was noticeably left out despite standing up as Mahomes approached him.

Mahomes greeted JuJu Smith-Schuster and Hollywood Brown before embracing Isiah Pacheco. Next on the bench was Perine, who stood up, but Mahomes instead approached Travis Kelce, and the two shared a long embrace.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes to running back Samaje Perine (34) against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium.  (Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)

People noticed the apparent snub, and in an Instagram post highlighting video of what happened, many called out Mahomes for a lack of leadership.

However, according to the New York Post, Perine commented on the post and said people were making something out of nothing.

“Lol I actually stood up to untie my pants string, no one blamed anybody,” Perine commented. “It’s not that deep.”

Perine, third on the running back depth chart behind Kareem Hunt and Pacheco, caught a pass from Mahomes in the AFC championship against the Buffalo Bills, which sealed their victory and sent them to their third straight Super Bowl.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine (34) during a press conference in advance of the 2025 Super Bowl at the New Orleans Marriott. (Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)

He was used mainly in the pass game out of the backfield, catching 28 passes for 322 yards and one touchdown for the Chiefs during the regular season. He also had 92 rushing yards on 20 carries with a score.

In the 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Perine had just one carry for eight yards.

The loss halted the Chiefs’ quest for a three-peat, which would have been the first in Super Bowl history.

It’s the Eagles’ second Lombardi Trophy after winning the 2018 Super Bowl.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) of the Kansas City Chiefs hands the ball off to RB Samaje Perine (34) during the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. (David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Sunday’s game was a rematch of the Super Bowl two years ago, which the Chiefs won, 38-35.

Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.