LAS VEGAS – The conclusion of the NFL’s week dedicated to its most successful teams is almost here, and there is a valuable lesson to be learned: To achieve victory, one must avoid engaging in behaviors that lead to defeat. While this may not delve into profound philosophical concepts, it holds true for the NFL, particularly when examining the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs and the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. This principle also applies to numerous other teams aspiring to reach the same level of success.
First and foremost, it is crucial to establish that engaging in losing behaviors will never lead to a Super Bowl appearance. Surprisingly, a significant number of teams in the league consistently engage in such behaviors, which ultimately prevents them from becoming legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
This fact is demonstrated by the recent head coach hiring cycle, during which two highly successful coaches with a combined total of seven Super Bowl victories were available for hire. Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick, both seeking employment, were overlooked by teams in favor of other options. This should not come as a shock, as loser teams consistently make decisions that perpetuate their losing status.
In the 2020 offseason, Tom Brady, widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, became a free agent for the first time in his career. Given the significance of quarterbacks in the NFL, one would expect a frenzy of teams vying for the opportunity to sign a six-time Super Bowl winner. However, Brady revealed that numerous teams showed little interest in him during his free agency period. The fact that a coach of Belichick’s caliber did not generate substantial interest in the open market is equally astonishing. Yet, this is the consequence of loser teams consistently making poor decisions.
Now, let us shift our focus to the two teams competing in the Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs have consistently been one of the premier teams in the league, appearing in six consecutive AFC championships and reaching their fourth Super Bowl in five years. They have a genuine chance to secure their third world championship within this timeframe. Similarly, the San Francisco 49ers have established themselves as a top team, appearing in their second Super Bowl in five years and reaching the NFC championship game four times in the same period. Both the Chiefs and the 49ers possess the knowledge and ability to capitalize on the mistakes made by teams that regularly engage in losing behaviors.
Take the 49ers, for example. They have not one, but two players who were finalists for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award last season – running back Christian McCaffrey and quarterback Brock Purdy. However, it is worth noting that both of these players could have been part of the Carolina Panthers instead of the 49ers. The Panthers traded McCaffrey to the 49ers last season, believing he was injury-prone and seeking to improve their team. The Panthers received valuable draft picks in return but ultimately finished the seasons with poor records and fired their coach. Meanwhile, McCaffrey found himself on a Super Bowl-contending team, contributing significantly to their success. This trade exemplifies the difference between winning teams and losing teams.
The 49ers’ decision-making is not the only example of loser teams inadvertently aiding their competitors. Even solid teams sometimes make questionable moves that end up hindering their own success. For instance, the Kansas City Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 draft. However, it is worth noting that the Chiefs did not originally hold the 10th pick when the first round began. The pick belonged to the Buffalo Bills, who, in the midst of a rebuilding process, agreed to trade back to the Chiefs’ 27th overall selection. The Bills acquired additional picks and used them to select players who have made significant contributions to their team. However, had the Bills held onto the 10th pick and selected Mahomes, their history might have been different. Instead, Mahomes and the Chiefs have repeatedly eliminated the Bills from the playoffs, showcasing the impact of the Chiefs’ decision to acquire Mahomes.
In conclusion, the NFL teaches us that engaging in loser behaviors will never lead to success. The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers exemplify the importance of making wise decisions and capitalizing on the mistakes of others. By avoiding loser behaviors and consistently making winning decisions, teams can position themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
According to the Source outkick.com