FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 22: Linebacker Ted Johnson #52 of the New England Patriots stands on the field during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 22, 2002 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won 41-38 in overtime. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
However, Johnson is not alone in his sentiments. Many former Patriots players and fans share a similar frustration as they watch the Chiefs inch closer to what New England nearly accomplished twice. The Patriots’ first attempt at a three-peat was halted by the Denver Broncos in the 2005 AFC Divisional Round, after New England had won back-to-back titles in the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Over a decade later, the Patriots found themselves in a similar position, winning Super Bowls LI and LIII but ultimately falling short of a third straight championship when the Eagles pulled off a thrilling victory in Super Bowl LII.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, have managed to maintain an unprecedented level of dominance in the modern era, consistently reaching AFC Championship Games and now standing on the brink of making history. Led by head coach Andy Reid and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City has become the team to beat, much like the Patriots were during their reign of supremacy under Brady and Belichick. That reality does not sit well with those who bled for the New England dynasty, including Johnson.
Despite his reluctance to embrace Kansas City’s success, Johnson acknowledged that he respects Mahomes and the Chiefs for what they have accomplished. He recognizes the difficulty of sustaining such excellence in a league designed for parity, where roster turnover, salary cap restrictions, and injuries can derail even the most talented teams. That, in his view, is what made New England’s success so remarkable—and why watching another team challenge that legacy is so unsettling.
For Johnson and other Patriots loyalists, the frustration is not just about Kansas City potentially overshadowing New England’s dynasty. It’s also about the nostalgia of what could have been. If a few plays had gone differently—if a miraculous helmet catch hadn’t doomed them against the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, or if the defense had made one more stop against Philadelphia in Super Bowl LII—the Patriots might have already cemented themselves as the undisputed greatest dynasty in NFL history. Instead, they must now watch as Mahomes and the Chiefs chase a feat that has eluded every team since the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers.
Interestingly, Brady himself seems to have taken a different stance on Kansas City’s potential three-peat. The legendary quarterback has expressed admiration for Mahomes, calling him a “tremendous competitor” and recognizing the difficulty of winning even one Super Bowl, let alone three in a row. While Brady is undoubtedly proud of what the Patriots accomplished, he has shown no outward signs of bitterness towards Kansas City’s dominance.
Nevertheless, for Johnson and other ex-Patriots players, Sunday’s Super Bowl will be about more than just the Eagles versus the Chiefs. It will be about pride, legacy, and a sense of ownership over history. If Philadelphia can pull off the upset, it will preserve New England’s status as the last great dynasty. But if Kansas City emerges victorious, it will be impossible to ignore the conversation about whether the torch has officially been passed.
One thing is certain: as the game unfolds at Caesars Superdome, Patriots fans like Johnson will be watching closely—some with admiration, others with frustration, and many with a lingering sense of what could have been.
