One of the constant issues facing the Kansas City Chiefs is that they always have a target on their backs. That’s what seemingly annual appearances in the Super Bowl will do to a perennial contender like the Chiefs, and last year especially seemed to be a grind. 

It looks like the Chiefs are having a lot more fun this year, though, and Jesse Newell of The Athletic explored that possibility earlier this week. Kansas City is one of the few NFL teams with a choice between winning and “winning fun,” and the latter seems to be a theme of this season. 

The evidence is everywhere if you look for it. Receiver Rashee Rice has been absolutely giddy since returning from his six-game suspension, which is certainly understandable given that most of us would be facing serious jail time if we were clocked at the speeds Rice hit when he caused the devastating Dallas highway accident that nearly caused several other victims their lives. 

Give Rice credit for being appropriately penitent, though, and now he’s having fun. The rmantra of the Chiefs receivers has been “Everybody’s Gotta Eat,” and linebacker Nick Bolton has noticed that the Kansas City defense has been feeding off that vibe, too. 

“Just the love they have for each other, rooting each other on, not worrying about who gets the ball, who gets the shine,” Bolton said. “It’s about getting the win at the end of the day. (The receivers) are embodying that, and players on the defensive side as well. And it’s just a fun thing to watch.”

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is having more fun, too. Last year Mahomes had to pull off a weekly Houdini act leading a limited offense to wins, but this year he’s taking more risks and loving it. 

“That’s kind of the mindset I had early in my career, is that the penalties weren’t going to affect us,” Mahomes said of the setbacks the Chiefs overcame against the Commanders. “We were going to go out there and score no matter what.

“I know our record’s not as good (as last year),” he added, “but it’s a lot more fun when everybody’s going out there and making stuff happen.”

Most teams wouldn’t consider a road trip to face the Buffalo Bills a fun event, but the Chiefs are different, as Bolton noted. 

“Just having some energy, having some fun. Just getting the joy back,” Bolton said. “I think we play our best when we do that.”