Bengals legend Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson reacts to Chiefs' loss to Eagles in Super Bowl LIX
This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Cincinnati Bengals legend and retired NFL wide receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson at the Whitney Museum in New York City during his panel appearance for eMLS CUP 2025.
In his interview with Easton Jr., Johnson shared his reaction to Kansas City's disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX and detailed his thoughts on why the Chiefs fell short in their three-peat bid.
"I'm not surprised," Johnson said of Kansas City's defeat at the hands of Philadelphia last month. "I mean, you watched them all year. You understood the defensive line, and that was there. I call it the meat and potatoes of their defense: always one up front in any football game, no matter what, if it turns out as strong as they are. You understood the Chiefs' weakness was on the offensive line. The offensive line has been [expletive] up all year long.
"They've had a continuous merry-go-round of putting people in certain positions to see what fits. It never worked. But [Patrick] Mahomes was so great that he could overcome most of the struggles with the offensive line, right? But get to the [expletive] Eagles, who got all those young dogs up there from Georgia, and that's what you get. I knew it would probably go like, I didn't know it would be that bad; I knew they had the edge."
The Chiefs' offensive line struggled against the Eagles' front four defensive linemen, as pass rushers routinely put pressure on Patrick Mahomes. Philadelphia finished the game with six sacks on the two-time league MVP, disrupting Kansas City's game plan.
The Cincinnati Bengals all-time receiving yards leader spoke on Major League Soccer's GAME ON: Next-Gen Fandom panel, which featured thought leaders, industry disruptors, and Gen Z voices. The panel explored the evolution of sports consumption, the influences of gaming, hip-hop, digital art, and sneaker culture, and how authenticity in the digital age is essential for audience engagement.
"Well, there's a lot of NFL, NBA, and sports icons connected to Major League Soccer, and Chad [Johnson has been] very vocal about his love and his interest in the sport," MLS Executive Vice President and Chief Engagement Officer Sola Winley explained. "He shows up to events like this. He's a supporter of the league. We have a lot of other former athletes and current athletes who have invested and partnered with Major League Soccer, from Kevin Durant to others who are participating."
Johnson is an avid gamer, especially when playing the EA SPORTS FC franchise. The game reaches global audiences and the next generation of fans, as many attended the crowning of a new eMLS 2025 champion at the Whitney Museum.
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