The Kansas City Chiefs won’t be playing in Super Bowl LX, and for fans used to seeing Patrick Mahomes & Co. on the game’s biggest stage, that’s going to take some getting used to. After all, the Chiefs have been to four of the last five Super Bowls, winning two of them and becoming the NFL’s modern-day measuring stick.
But even with Kansas City out of the title picture this year, the Super Bowl still has a strong Midwest flavor. When the Seahawks and Patriots meet on February 8, eight players with ties to the Kansas City area or Missouri colleges will be chasing a championship - and no matter who wins, a former Missouri Tiger will be leaving Las Vegas with a ring.
Let’s take a closer look at those eight players and how they’ve made their mark this season.
Jalen Sundell - Maryville, Missouri
Jalen Sundell’s journey from Maryville High to the NFL has been all about steady development and seizing opportunity. After a standout run at North Dakota State, where he anchored one of the most dominant FCS offensive lines in recent memory, Sundell signed with the Seahawks in 2024.
He carved out a role quickly, appearing in 12 games as a rookie and then stepping into the starting center role this season. He started 13 games and both playoff contests for Seattle - not bad for a guy who came into the league undrafted.
Sundell’s versatility and toughness have been key for a Seahawks offensive line that’s found its rhythm late in the year. For a kid who once played both offensive tackle and defensive end for the Maryville Spoofhounds, this is quite the full-circle moment.
Drew Lock - Lee’s Summit, Missouri / Missouri Tigers
Drew Lock is back in familiar territory - not just geographically, but in terms of his role. The former Mizzou star and Lee’s Summit native is serving as the backup quarterback in Seattle behind Sam Darnold.
While Lock only threw three passes across five appearances this season, his presence in the quarterback room has been valued. This is his second stint with the Seahawks, and while he hasn’t been called on much, he’s one snap away from being thrust into the spotlight.
Lock’s college days at Mizzou were filled with big throws and big expectations. Now, he’s one win away from something he never quite reached as a starter: a Super Bowl ring.
Mason Richman - Blue Valley High School / Iowa
Mason Richman is another local product making his way in the league. The Leawood native and former Blue Valley High standout was selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft by Seattle.
After a strong college career at Iowa, Richman has spent this season adjusting to the pro game. He saw action in two games this year, a small but meaningful step in the right direction for a developmental offensive lineman.
His size and athleticism have always stood out, and the Seahawks clearly see long-term potential. Even if he’s not suiting up on Super Bowl Sunday, the experience of being part of a championship-caliber locker room is invaluable for a young lineman.
Bryce Cabeldue - University of Kansas
Cabeldue was a sixth-round pick in 2025 and saw action in eight games this season, mostly in a reserve and special teams role. Unfortunately, his postseason run came to a premature end when he was placed on injured reserve last week. Still, the former Kansas Jayhawk has shown enough to suggest he could be a long-term depth piece for Seattle’s offensive line.
Cabeldue’s blend of size and mobility made him a reliable presence at KU, and that’s translated well to the pro level. While he won’t be on the field in Vegas, he’ll still be part of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl journey.
Logan Brown - University of Kansas
Brown, a former teammate of Cabeldue at Kansas, joined the Seahawks’ practice squad on December 3. He hasn’t seen game action, but being in the building during a playoff run is a big deal for a young offensive lineman still finding his footing in the league.
With two KU products in the Seahawks' offensive line room - and Drew Lock, a Mizzou alum, in the quarterback room - you have to imagine there’s been some good-natured Border War banter flying around.
Jacardia Wright - Kansas State / Missouri State
Wright’s path to the NFL has been unconventional, but no less impressive. After starting his college career at Kansas State and finishing at Missouri State, he signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. He made the most of limited opportunities, appearing in Seattle’s dominant 44-13 win over the Saints and rushing five times for 20 yards.
He’s currently on Seattle’s practice squad/injured list, but he’s already shown he can contribute when called upon. Wright’s a physical runner with good vision - traits that could earn him more chances down the road.
Marcus Bryant - University of Missouri
Bryant was a seventh-round pick by the Patriots in 2025, and he’s already carved out a role in New England’s offensive line rotation. The former Missouri Tiger started at left tackle in 2024 and brought that experience to the pros, appearing in 12 games this season.
He’s one of the more intriguing developmental linemen in the Patriots’ system, and he’ll have a chance to cap off his rookie year with a Super Bowl ring - a huge accomplishment for any first-year player, let alone a late-round pick.
Yasir Durant - University of Missouri
Durant’s NFL journey began with the Chiefs back in 2020, and he’s since bounced around a bit, spending time with the Saints and now the Patriots. Unfortunately, he’s been on New England’s injured reserve list for the entire 2025 season. Still, if the Patriots win, Durant will earn a ring - a fitting reward for a player who’s stuck around and battled through the ups and downs of life in the NFL trenches.
So, while the Chiefs won’t be playing in Super Bowl LX, the Kansas City and Missouri football pipeline is still well-represented. Whether it’s a former Mizzou lineman anchoring a playoff front, a Lee’s Summit quarterback backing up in the big game, or a pair of Jayhawks chasing rings, there’s plenty of local pride riding on this one.
And no matter which team lifts the Lombardi Trophy, someone with roots in Missouri will be celebrating.