It seems that every NFL team eventually reaches a point where they are no longer seen as the darlings of American football, and the Kansas City Chiefs have now reached that point.

The general lack of excitement surrounding this year’s Super Bowl, which will be the Chiefs’ fourth appearance in the big game in the 2020s, is a clear sign of this. Their second matchup against the San Francisco 49ers feels almost laughable, with Brock Purdy being unlikely to outshine Patrick Mahomes in Las Vegas.

The most probable outcome is that Mahomes and his Kansas City teammates will once again be celebrating victory, adding another championship ring to their collection.

For years, the New England Patriots dynasty was the subject of much groaning, but now, the Chiefs have taken their place, easily recognizable with their red helmets and frequent appearances in State Farm commercials.

It wasn’t long ago that Mahomes was a rising star on a team that had always fallen short of expectations. Now, he is on the verge of winning his third championship in four years, and the question of whether he is the greatest quarterback of all time is being openly discussed.

Winning seems to change the perception of a team. Just as the Patriots went from being underdogs to being the team everyone loved to hate, the Chiefs have also undergone a transformation. Their increased national presence has invited both bandwagon support and backlash.

However, moments like the Kadarius Toney offsides scandal in December have contributed to a change in perception. The Chiefs’ public complaints about refereeing turned them from a winning team into sore losers, leaving a mark on their reputation.

Even seemingly lighthearted incidents, such as a spat with an opposing kicker, now come across as childish rather than cute. The recent playoff run solidified the idea that the Chiefs, and Mahomes in particular, are now seen as inevitable winners.

Like the Patriots before them, the Chiefs have become the team that everyone else wants to beat. Their continued dominance may lead to fatigue among fans who are tired of seeing the same team win over and over again.

As likable as they have been, the Chiefs now seem almost robotic in their victories, much like the Patriots during their reign. By becoming the standard of excellence in the NFL, they have also become the subject of frustration for their lack of failures. It’s a new reality for the Chiefs, and it can be lonely at the top.