Longtime NFL writer: There are ‘growing indications’ Chiefs will play in Germany in 2023

It was an eventful Sunday around the NFL, and that includes what happened in Germany.

The Buccaneers beat the Seahawks 21-16 in Munich, but it wasn’t so much the action on the field that caught the attention of fans in the States.

It was German fans singing along to a John Denver song during a break in play and then continuing to belt out the tune after the game resumed. This was cool.

NBC Sports’ Peter King, who has covered the NFL since 1984, was in Munich for the game, and he shared some insights on next year’s contest in Germany. The NFL had planned to play one game a year in Germany through the 2025 season, with Frankfurt and Munich each playing host twice.

But King reported NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league could expand on the number of games in the coming years.

“There are growing indications that two prime fan favorites in Germany — Kansas City and New England — both could serve as home teams for games in 2023,” King wrote Monday. “The league is working with the Bundesliga, the German soccer league, on dates because the games come in the middle of the Bundesliga season.

“But I heard at least one of the games and perhaps both would be held in Frankfurt.”

The Chiefs certainly are willing to play in Germany next season. Team president Mark Donovan was asked by reporters in July about possibly playing a 2023 home game in Germany.

“Yeah, I hope so,” Donovan said at the time. “That’s our goal. I know our Season Ticket Members would like all of our games to be at home, but the reality is, that’s one of the reasons we switched to the (17-game schedule). Every team in the league will play internationally now. ... That is part of the reason for nine versus eight (regular season games). Ideally, we go and don’t give it up, but I don’t think that’s the way the model is designed, that would be a pretty significant anomaly if we were able to do that.

“But I will tell you this: There is nothing better than playing at home, but the opportunity to play regular season games internationally is going to benefit every aspect in this organization and our fans.”

One other sign that the Chiefs could be playing in Germany next year is ... an actual sign. Well, it’s a billboard to be precise.

Will Gavin of Talk Sport shared a photo of the billboard near the Munich Airport that shows Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce with the words: “Coming Soon.” The Chiefs logo is also displayed prominently.