Chiefs are going for a three-peat. But these KC players dream of first Super Bowl win

Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza is asked about the emotions he’ll feel Saturday morning before his first NFL playoff game, and his mind immediately goes to the day before.

Or, specifically, the night ahead of the Chiefs’ Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans.

“It’s probably going to be hard to sleep,” Araiza told The Star on Tuesday with a smile. “But yeah, I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it.”

Araiza is part of a small but significant faction on the Chiefs roster that begins this weekend’s postseason in a unique position.

They’ve joined a team that’s already won two Super Bowls while aiming for a three-peat. Yet they haven’t been on the field for that previous success, looking instead to get their first experience of winning an NFL title.

The noteworthy group includes veterans like receivers Hollywood Brown and DeAndre Hopkins and running back Kareem Hunt.

Brown, who has never advanced past the Divisional Round in his six-year career, said he’s enjoyed being involved in a “part of greatness” with this Chiefs run alongside players like quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. He also didn’t anticipate that Mahomes would want to settle for the three Super Bowls he has — or even a three-peat if the Chiefs can achieve it.

Yet, on his own journey, Brown says the impact of winning a single Super Bowl would be significant.

“This moment is definitely what I came here for,” Brown said of starting the postseason. “Missed pretty much the whole season (with injury), so I’m excited for this moment.”

Hunt has admitted he’ll be motivated as well.

During a conversation with The Star earlier this month, Hunt said he “would have never thought in a million years” that he’d have an opportunity again with KC after the team previously released him in November 2018.

Now, after signing with the team earlier this season, Hunt will be playing in his first playoff game with the Chiefs in seven years.

“I know I’ve got the opportunity to do that (win a Super Bowl) now, and I’ve got to take advantage of it,” Hunt said on Jan. 3. “So that’s what I think about every day.”

Nikko Remigio has his own redemption story he hopes to write during this year’s playoffs.

Though the second-year receiver was part of the team’s Super Bowl LVIII celebration a year ago, it wasn’t in the way he envisioned. Remigio was on the Chiefs’ practice squad then, meaning he was on the sideline but not suited up for KC’s victory in Las Vegas.

“I’m a competitor at heart, and so I think to not be out there on the field at all during the season, and then to be a part of the win, I was happy for the organization. I was happy for the team and the guys,” Remigio said Tuesday. “But for me, I kind of used that as fuel and motivation for going into this year.”

Remigio, who played in five games for the Chiefs this year as primarily a return specialist, faces an uncertain role ahead. He was elevated to the team’s active roster late in the season after receiver Mecole Hardman was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Hardman recently returned to practice but was limited during Tuesday’s drills.

Remigio said contributing in these playoffs — especially after last season’s experience — would “mean everything” to him if it happened.

“It’s just the culmination of all my work paying off for that moment,” Remigio said. “And obviously, when you realize that and you think about that, you’re like, ‘OK, I’m here. Now it’s time to go do something.’”

Another group walking into the dynasty was the Chiefs’ rookie class.

That includes undrafted running back Carson Steele, who said he’s been impressed by the locker room he entered that was coming off consecutive titles.

“A lot of people would think people are running around, thinking high of theirselves. But it’s completely opposite,” Steele said. “They act like a team who doesn’t win. They’re always hungry, want to work for more. And it’s helping me build character over the whole year.”

Steele, whose primary role is working as a fullback and on special teams, said a lot of the talk this week has been about how the speed of the game increases during the playoffs. He’s also sensed guys pushing harder this week in practice, working to get an extra rep or brush up on details to ensure they’re ready for Saturday’s game.

And as for him?

“Ever since I was a little kid, it’s been a dream to play on an NFL team, especially going into the playoffs now, too,” Steele said. “So I’m excited.”

Same goes for Araiza, who will experience his first playoff game after signing with the Chiefs this offseason.

He said it’s been “interesting” — while also comforting — to join a squad that’s already had so much success.

“I don’t have any doubt — and I don’t think anyone else that’s new here has a doubt — if this team or this organization can do it. Because they’ve proven that,” Araiza said. “So the biggest thing is about trusting the example that the guys give us and the coaches give us: that it’s worked before.”