The NFL recently released the schedule for the upcoming 2024-25 season, sparking widespread discussions among fans. Many believe that the Kansas City Chiefs’ schedule is less challenging compared to other teams. Analysts have rated their schedule in the middle of the pack, noting that teams like the Browns, the Ravens, the Steelers, and the Packers, among others, face tougher challenges.
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However, NFL VP Mike North gave a different perspective during his appearance on Adam Schefter’s podcast. North argued that the Chiefs might actually have one of the toughest schedules in the league, playing six days of the week. However, he expects them to be in the playoffs anyway, because “good teams find a way”.
The Chiefs’ schedule is demanding: they play every day of the week except Tuesday, have three games in 11 days, face short breaks between games, and have a crucial matchup against Buffalo right after their bye week. However, the NFL executive thinks that that’s a price great teams like the Chiefs often have to pay to support the league.
North admitted that the defending champions has been the ‘Bellcow’ of the league for a while now, delivering when needed. Therefore, the NFL is willing to schedule them to play on every holiday on any streaming network to boost the league’s popularity.
He further stated that the Chiefs weren’t surprised by the schedule and the games they will be playing on different national holidays. North said,
” You can give the Chiefs the worst possible schedule and some are saying we did…we may have given the Chiefs the hardest schedule in the league but I suspect they are going to be there come playoff time….They have been our bellcow for a while. They are kind of used to carrying our water for some of these unique kinds of opportunities…Chiefs were not surprised by their national television and some of the windows we decided to use.”
Even though NFL VP of Broadcast Planning Mike North admits the “Chiefs have been our belcow for a while”, the league is aware that it “maybe gave the Chiefs the hardest schedule in the league.”
https://t.co/mIBxyagJwm pic.twitter.com/zXFxcSo9Kt
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 22, 2024
Mike North’s statement about the Chiefs and the difficulty of their schedule received a mixed reaction. Meanwhile, some called out the NFL for using the popularity of Kansas City to boost their viewership.
North’s statement about the Chiefs’ schedule received a mixed reaction
Fans have voiced strong opinions on the Chief’s schedule. One fan slammed the league for allegedly imposing the hardest schedule on the Chiefs, arguing that the league is making it harder for the team to retain their title.
Other fans pointed out the favoritism towards the Chiefs, noting their status as the bellcow. Some acknowledged that despite having one of the toughest schedules, Kansas City is still likely to reach another AFC Championship or achieve a three-peat. Fans said,
So yall blatantly lie because the chiefs schedule is not even close to the hardest
— playboyx (@playbooyx) May 22, 2024
Another chimed in and added,
Yeah, the AFC North would like to have some words with him.
— Carl C (@Percher33) May 22, 2024
A fan quipped,
The NFL committee is a bunch of stupid idiots running around scheduling games and putting a big burden on the Kansas City Chiefs. This is ridiculously wrong and they’re trying to make it hard for a three peat. How in the hell can you schedule that many games in December.
— Gib Buckingham (@BuckinghamGib) May 18, 2024
A fan wrote,
“Chiefs have been our bell cow for a while.”
– That about says it all right there.
— JDO (@JDOPost) May 22, 2024
Someone commented,
And it still won’t matter. Chiefs will host the AFC Championship invitational in Arrowhead
— JohnnyLFootball (@JohnnyLFootball) May 22, 2024
Others said,
Making the Chiefs bye in week 6! Yeah you are savages for that! Oh well we will still win it all again! We going for the 3-peat! pic.twitter.com/evqBasYIYV
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) May 22, 2024
Dominant teams always find a way to rise to the top. Much like the dynastic teams of previous decades, the Chiefs will likely find a way to make history to get their hands on that Lombardy yet again. However, their task won’t be easy, as many teams have upgraded their squads and off-field issues have plagued Kansas City.
