There are stars and mainstays on the Chiefs who are going to be relied upon heavily in Super Bowl LIX. There are also plenty of role players who could come through greatly in a key situation for Kansas City on Sunday. With this being the last showing of the season, there is a lot on the line for each individual player. Outside of winning a championship, boosting their opportunities for the future is at stake as well.
After this Super Bowl, win or lose, the Chiefs will face a few tough decisions this offseason. Other choices will be fascinating to monitor when it comes to the roster outlook for 2025. A strong showing in the Super Bowl could certainly make some players more difficult to move on from.
Which Chiefs players could potentially benefit the most from a great Super Bowl performance? Here are four Kansas City names that could help themselves out financially.
We are not including obvious names like Trey Smith or Nick Bolton in this list, due to those pending free agents being set for reported high salaries on new deals.
Hollywood Brown, wide receiver
It was unfortunate that Hollywood Brown was unable to be on the field for a full campaign in the Chiefs offense. But since returning from injury late in the regular season, he has been a key focal point for the offensive attack. Brown has recorded a reception in three of the four games that he has been active for. And when he has been healthy, Patrick Mahomes has been able to connect with him early on in games. This has helped the Chiefs' passing attack work quicker out of the gate.
Brown could continue to get quick looks in Super Bowl LIX. With his speed and yard-after-catch ability, the production could begin to pile up for him. If you look at what JuJu Smith-Schuster was for Super Bowl LVII, you could argue that Brown holds a similar spot on the depth chart for Kansas City in this Super Bowl. Smith-Schuster had seven catches and made tough grabs to move the sticks in that Super Bowl two years ago.
If Brown has a performance like that, he could see his potential offers increase this offseason. The injury may have hurt his overall ceiling for his next contract. But still, Brown has a chance to really grab a lot of teams' attention with a solid showing on Sunday.
Justin Reid, safety
Justin Reid has made it to the Super Bowl in all three seasons since joining the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Reid can be a polarizing figure among Chiefs fans. But between his versatility, tackling, and leadership on defense, he has been a beneficial investment for Kansas City amid their recent free agent signings.
Reid will be one of many Chiefs defensive backs who will have their hands full with the Eagles' skill group on Sunday. If he can make the stops that we are accustomed to, Reid has a chance to boost his financial opportunities in the upcoming free agency window. It is also vital to mention that Reid is set to turn 28 just after the Super Bowl. Of the safeties that have put out consistently strong tape over the last few years, Reid is one of the younger safeties available in free agency and still in his prime age. It would not be surprising if he ended up getting one of the richer paydays in this year's free agent safety class.
Charles Omenihu, defensive end
Charles Omenihu was clear to mention just how much his play elevates in the postseason. His career playoff moments have truly not garnered as much respect as they deserve. His strip sack of Lamar Jackson in the AFC Championship Game last year led to the Ravens offense sputtering throughout the entire day. And in this year's Divisional Round, Omenihu forced another strip sack on C.J. Stroud against the Houston Texans. The next play? Houston went on to miss wildly on a field goal attempt.
It was a bittersweet result for him after that strip sack in Baltimore last year. He helped get the Chiefs to Super Bowl LVIII but was unavailable for that game against his former team. Omenihu suffered a torn ACL later on in that game against the Ravens.
Omenihu has helped create and open up opportunities for the entire Kansas City pass rush since his return this season. His length and explosiveness are already challenging for blockers to deal with. Add in what Chris Jones and George Karlaftis have been doing, and the Chiefs are dangerous from all angles when rushing the passer. If he can make a similar impact in Super Bowl LIX, Omenihu has earned a chance at a raise this offseason.
Tershawn Wharton
Tershawn Wharton is a former undrafted free agent signing of the Chiefs. And even this last offseason, he only re-signed for a cheap one-year deal. Wharton has certainly earned a raise, due to his play in Kansas City already. But if he has a sharp outing in Super Bowl LIX, it would be stunning if Wharton did not get a major boost in salary, yet again.
Wharton offers so much as a defensive lineman, which may go unnoticed by most of the national NFL fans. He is a heavy-handed defender who also offers great size and length. Wharton can align all across the defensive line in different techniques. He has been able to make an impact against both the run and the pass. You could also argue that this year was his best campaign so far. He may not rank among the elite defensive linemen in the NFL. However, Wharton's career showings to this point, plus a strong Super Bowl performance, should give him a chance at that potential pay bump this offseason.
manual