Highlights from Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl Opening Night

Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night is here. In just a matter of days — six, to be exact — the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will meet in Las Vegas to determine this year’s champion.

But there’s plenty to get to before the much-anticipated big game. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones and many others will visit with the media for one of the most hectic days of the NFL season.

There’s certainly no shortage of storylines as Opening Night arrives.

Even setting aside the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce dynamic — sure to be asked about no fewer than 150 times Monday evening — the Chiefs are chasing dynasty status with a potential third Super Bowl victory in five years.

Mahomes can cement his status among the top handful of quarterbacks ever, and a Chiefs defense that starred in the regular season and AFC playoff rounds can make standouts like L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie household names across the nation.

Jones could be playing in his last game as Kansas City’s game-wrecking D-lineman — and speaking of contracts and negotiations, the Kansas City Royals signed Bobby Witt Jr. to a historic deal. Chiefs players might have something to say about that.

Opening Night awaits. Follow our live updates below ...

Bulletin board material?

At least one former Chiefs player isn’t shying away from some trash talk.

Former Chiefs DB (now with the 49ers) Charvarius Ward was asked about the differences between the squads.

“It’s better over here,” Ward said in a video shared by CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani. “Every way. Every way possible.”

‘Win it for Andy’

NFL Network shared a short clip from Chris Jones, who appeared to be talking about the future of KC head coach Andy Reid.

“We don’t know how much longer we got Andy in the game,” Jones said. “I think this is more so to win it for Andy.”

You can hear the boos ...

... when Chiefs players and coaches are interviewed on the main stage at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders. Some of that may be Raiders fans and some 49ers fans.

Travis Kelce stopped in the middle of one of his answers to address the crowd.

“Y’all are firing me up, making me want to play right now, baby,” Kelce said with a big smile. “Woo! I love the boos more than I love the cheers, baby. Keep ‘em coming, Niners gang. Keep ‘em coming.”

Ready to disappoint Taylor?

San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy was asked if he’s prepared to disappoint superstar singer Taylor Swift with late fourth-quarter heroics if that’s what it takes to win the Super Bowl.

“Yes,” Purdy said with a smile. “I’ll leave it at that.”

Kadarius Toney comments on Instagram Live rant

Kadarius Toney appeared to take some responsibility for a recent social media video that surfaced in which he indicated he wasn’t injured, contrary to KC injury reports.

Toney, as shown on NFL Network, said the missing context from the video was that he was cursing at Giants fans and that he’d “never attack the Chiefs, never said anything about the Chiefs.”

He said he’s healthy now — “Yeah, I’m good” — and owned up for the video.

“I just wanted to go out there ... and get my message across as far as my injury,” Toney said on NFL Network. “I shouldn’t have done that at the end of the day. I’m a man. I can accept my mistakes, just like I accept my wins. I’m just moving past it right now.”

Spags for head coach?

The Chiefs’ defense has been one of the stories of the season, let alone the postseason.

Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones thinks defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo deserves a head-coaching opportunity and was surprised he wasn’t interviewed during the current cycle.

That answer was shared by Fox Sports reporter Ralph Vacchiano on X (formerly Twitter).

“I think he is still not getting the respect he deserves around this league with the success he’s had,” Jones said before cracking a smile. “Long as we keep him we’ll keep winning, man.”

Patrick Mahomes in the NBA?

His player comparison? Steph Curry, Mahomes joked at media day. The clip is pretty good.

One of the best quarterbacks of all-time

Chiefs coach Andy Reid isn’t quieting the hype. He said Patrick Mahomes is “on the way to being the greatest ever,” per The Star’s Vahe Gregorian.

Travis Kelce retirement? No answer yet

Travis Kelce was noncommittal about a retirement timeline when asked about the topic on the NFL Network broadcast.

“I’ll tell you what. I think it’s still up in the air whether or not (Jason Kelce, Travis’ brother) is going to continue to play football,” Travis Kelce said. “And I love coming into the building and playing this game more than anybody, man. I know I’m going to miss it when it’s over with. I can’t put a timestamp on it, but I know I’m going to enjoy every single bit of this one.”

Kelce had previously said he has “no reason to stop playing football.”

Chiefs are the villains?

Chris Jones was asked on NFL Network if the Chiefs feel like villains in Super Bowl LVIII.

He said that’s the case.

“For some reason,” Jones said. “Everybody used to love us. We used to be one of the most favorite teams. Now everybody is like, ‘We’re ready for the Chiefs to lose.’ I don’t know why, what changed. ... But that’s OK. They can continue hating.”

Travis Kelce got an early listen ...

... to Taylor Swift’s upcoming album. And there were many questions about their relationship.

In fact, there were plenty more throughout the night.

Bruce Buffer with the introduction

UFC/MMA announcer Bruce Buffer delivered a lengthy introduction as the Kansas City Chiefs came out for Opening Night. You can see what that looked like in a video shared by the Chiefs on X:

Some boos for the Chiefs

This game is in Las Vegas, after all, home of the Raiders. And then there are the 49ers fans, too.

Yes ... that’s the Blue Man Group

Because it wouldn’t be a Super Bowl spectacle worthy of Las Vegas without them ...

We’ve got an Andy Reid impersonator

And apparently he’s lined up to hand the real Andy Reid a menu, as The Star’s Vahe Gregorian notes ...

Roger Goodell the Swiftie?

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had his news conference to begin Opening Night, as shown on NFL Network.

Naturally, Goodell was asked about superstar singer Taylor Swift, who happens to be dating Travis Kelce.

“Having the Taylor Swift effect is also a positive,” Goodell said. “Both Travis and Taylor are wonderful young people. They seem very happy. She knows great entertainment, and I think that’s why she loves NFL football.”

Goodell added “it’s great to have” Swift be around the league, saying she “creates a buzz” and draws in a new fan base of young women.

“She’s an extraordinary performer,” Goodell said.

Clark Hunt: Chiefs coach Andy Reid helped team through adversity

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt was interviewed on NFL Total Access while at Opening Night. He was asked about the Chiefs returning to the Super Bowl in a season that had its ups and downs.

“I think every year has adversity,” Hunt said. “If you go back to last year, Patrick Mahomes had the ankle injury. ... We definitely had some adversity this year, losing five of eight games late in the year. I really give the credit to Andy Reid and the job he and his coaching staff did.”

Hunt noted they kept a consistent and positive message, which helped the Chiefs get going in the playoffs.

Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night schedule

Super Bowl Opening Night runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central the Monday before Super Bowl LVIII. Notes an NFL.com release, “This is the only time the two teams will be together in one location prior to Super Bowl Sunday.”

The action, though, really gets started at 7 p.m. Central. That’s when the Chiefs first head to tables and podiums across Allegiant Stadium to speak to hundreds of media members. The 49ers will begin their media sessions around 9 p.m. Central.

How to watch Super Bowl Opening Night

NFL Network will broadcast live from Super Bowl Opening Night starting at 7 p.m. Central, with “NFL Total Access” running on the network up until that time. That broadcast will end at 10 p.m.

CBS Sports Network will also carry the Super Bowl Opening Night broadcast from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Central. CBS Sports Network will then air “Super Bowl Live” from 9 p.m. until midnight.

The broadcast will also be available on Paramount Plus.