After a disappointing 2024 season, Jaguars fans were hoping for a bold move in the draft—and they got one. The team selected Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick, which quickly energized the fan base. With quarterback Trevor Lawrence also set to return this season, optimism around the team is growing.
Hunter, with 153 receptions and 23 receiving touchdowns for 1,979 yards in 2024 alone, was one of the most exciting prospects. However, Lawrence also made headlines after returning to team drills on Monday after months away. Fans are eager to see the potential chemistry between them. And we can expect home games to sell out fast.
On Instagram, the Jaguars shared a clip of NFL VP of Broadcast Planning Mike North’s interview on The Rich Eisen Show. In it, North discussed the scheduling of Jaguars and Chiefs games. He highlighted Jacksonville’s national television game in London and hinted at the possibility of more high-profile appearances. Regarding the Chiefs, he noted, “Every Kansas City Chiefs game is an event.” He added that “they can’t play all of their primetime games at home—much as Coach Reid would probably like to.” No doubts about that.
You might wonder why Andy Reid prefers all primetime games to be home games. There are two main reasons. First, home games eliminate travel for players and generate more revenue for the team. Second, the Chiefs went 8–0 at home in 2024—a streak they’ll aim to repeat this season. Hosting primetime games gives them the best chance to maintain that edge and strengthen both their performance and financial outlook.
Regarding the Chiefs-Jaguars matchup, Mike North revealed they had “KC-Jacksonville penciled in before the draft.” However, Jacksonville’s strong draft, particularly the addition of Travis Hunter, elevated the game’s significance. Not just in terms of talent, but also commercial appeal. North added, “I think fans are going to be really intrigued to see, is he (Travis Hunter) going to play both ways? Can he do it at this level?” Hence, posing a major question about Hunter’s ability to perform on both offense and defense in the NFL.
North also acknowledged the importance of Trevor Lawrence’s return. He did that by asking, “Can Trevor come back and be healthy?” A shoulder injury and a concussion sidelined him for five months, placing him on injured reserve. Opting for early surgery, he missed the end of last season. Now, fans are eager to see if he can return to his pre-injury form.
While the Jaguars’ future looks promising, the Chiefs remain the team to beat. Their dominance in recent years has left a lasting mark on the league, and they’ll be determined to stay on top.
Has the NFL given the Chiefs an undue advantage?
With the release of the NFL schedule and the Chiefs receiving seven primetime games, questions about league favoritism have resurfaced. The NFL scheduled the Los Angeles Chargers to face the Chiefs in an international game. Hence, costing them a valuable home-field advantage. Combined with a perceived decline in focus on the Dallas Cowboys, fans are beginning to question whether the NFL is playing favorites.
Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts during the second half of the 2024 AFC wild card game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sport
Mike North addressed these concerns on the May 19 episode of the Up & Adams Show. While discussing the schedules for the Chiefs and Cowboys, he stated, “I don’t think the Chiefs were surprised. I don’t think the Chiefs fans are surprised. Anybody who’s been watching football for the last few years knows that the Chiefs have almost kind of surpassed the Cowboys, really as the bell cow,” subtly acknowledging the shift in priority.
To play devil’s advocate, North makes a valid point. In 2024, the Chiefs went 15–2 and topped their division, while the Cowboys finished third with a 7–10 record. So, while it may seem the NFL is favoring Kansas City with primetime slots, it’s also a reflection of performance. At the same time, the league has balanced this by denying the Chiefs some of the home games they reportedly wanted, striking a middle ground between recognition and fairness.
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