Kansas City Chiefs

Lore & Background

Patrick Mahomes' tenure as the *Madden NFL 20* cover athlete began with his official unveiling on April 25, 2019. This moment was historic not only for the game but for the franchise itself, as it marked the first time a Kansas City Chiefs player had ever been featured on the cover of a Madden title. The narrative surrounding Mahomes was defined by his status as both the team's quarterback and the 2018 NFL MVP leading into the game's development cycle. Unlike previous cover athletes who suffered early season-ending injuries, Mahomes defied the odds. He secured a Super Bowl victory in that same season and earned the Super Bowl MVP title, shattering the "Madden Curse" that had plagued the series for years. His inclusion also introduced new gameplay elements; specifically, he was featured as the head coach of the "Magicians" team in the Season 1 post-launch mode known as Superstar KO. This squad focused on run-pass options and play actions, sponsored by Twitch Prime, offering players a distinct strategic identity compared to other teams like the blitz-heavy Florida Keys.

In Their Own Story

The story of the Chiefs in *Madden NFL 20* is defined by the breaking of a decade-long superstition. When Patrick Mahomes was announced as the cover athlete on April 25, 2019, the expectation was that he might face the traditional "curse" where cover athletes end their seasons early due to injury. Instead, the season unfolded differently in reality and within the game's legacy. Mahomes led his team to a Super Bowl victory, becoming only the second player after Rob Gronkowski to win the championship while on the cover. He further distinguished himself by winning the Super Bowl MVP, a feat no other cover athlete had achieved before. This triumph was celebrated within the game's post-launch content, where Mahomes appeared as the head coach for the "Magicians" in the new Superstar KO mode. In this 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 format, players could select his team to focus on run-pass options and play actions, mirroring the real-life offensive strategy that led to their championship success.

Reader's Guide

To utilize the Kansas City Chiefs effectively in *Madden NFL 20*, players should leverage the specific modes introduced during Season 1 post-launch content. A key feature is Superstar KO, a new mode where users can select Mahomes as the head coach of the "Magicians" team. This squad focuses on run-pass options and play actions, offering a unique playstyle compared to other teams like the Florida Keys or Backyard Heroes. In standard gameplay, players should note that Mahomes was the first Chiefs player ever to be on the cover, released on August 2, 2019 (or July 30 for Superstar/Ultimate Superstar edition owners). The game features specific accessibility settings, including menu narration by announcer Brandon Gaudin, which helps navigate the interface. When playing as the Chiefs, remember that while general menus are narrated, deep franchise options like scouting college players or purchasing free agents do not have audio support. For those looking to replicate Mahomes' real-life success, focus on the run-pass option schemes available in the Superstar KO mode, which were designed specifically around his playstyle.

Did You Know?

• Patrick Mahomes was the first player from the Kansas City Chiefs to ever appear on the cover of a Madden NFL video game.
• Mahomes became the second player in history, after Rob Gronkowski, to win a Super Bowl in the same season he appeared on the Madden cover.
• He was the first player to win the Super Bowl MVP award while serving as the cover athlete, officially breaking the "Madden Curse".
• In the Season 1 post-launch content of *Madden NFL 20*, Patrick Mahomes served as the head coach for the "Magicians" team in Superstar KO mode.
• The game was released on August 2, 2019, but players who purchased the "Superstar" or "Ultimate Superstar" editions could access it three days early on July 30.