Chiefs mostly avoid trash-talk angle vs. Bengals ... with one notable exception

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay started an interview in the locker room Thursday by saying he wasn’t motivated to respond to some of the Cincinnati Bengals’ perceived trash talk from earlier in the week.

“I’m just excited to be playing football, man. That stuff, it just what comes with the game,” Gay said. “Like coach (Andy) Reid said, we don’t do no talking. We just go handle business when it’s time to go.”

His next response, then, came as a surprise as the Chiefs prepare to play the Bengals in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.

Gay was asked by a reporter, “What is it about that Bengals’ offense that maybe impresses you the most? You’ve played them a few times.”

Before the question was completed, Gay said, “Nothing.” Then, after the interviewer’s final sentence, Gay leaned down toward a microphone placed in front of him.

“Nothing,” he said again.

The words are likely to make their way to Cincinnati in a week where, before Thursday, the Bengals had been perceived to have done the most chattering.

Cincinnati cornerback Mike Hilton told NFL Films sideline cameras during his Bengals’ win last week at Buffalo that the team would, “See y’all at Burrowhead.” The moniker referenced Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow and the Chiefs’ home, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Safety Jessie Bates also told Cincinnati.com’s Kelsey Conway this about Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ high-ankle sprain: “I hope that he is 100% healthy so there is no excuses.”

On Thursday, many Chiefs were asked about the potential bulletin-board material from the Bengals, including Mahomes.

“I think different guys use it different ways,” Mahomes said. “I just try to go out there and prepare myself to play my best football. If you’re not fired up to play a team that’s beat you three times in a row, in the AFC Championship Game, then you’re not going to be fired up for any game. So I’m excited to play against a great football team and try to my best effort to go out there and get a win.”

Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed downplayed the potential motivation gained from Cincinnati’s words.

“I’m not worried about that,” Sneed said. “We’re coming to play football. That’s what we’re here to do: Try to get to the (Super) Bowl.”

Gay, during a brief interview with reporters, said he was looking forward to playing the Bengals again, especially after KC lost 27-24 at Cincinnati on Dec. 4.

When asked what he could do personally to help the Chiefs win and advance to the Super Bowl, Gay said, “Stop the run, for sure.”

“We know they’re gonna try to do that to act like they can big-boy us,” Gay said. “But the front six, seven is gonna definitely do our job and try to slow that down.”