(KRON) — The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs will face off against each other on Sunday for Super Bowl LVIII, which will be a rematch of the 2019 NFL season’s championship game.
Both teams have shaken up their rosters to varying degrees since they last met up. The 49ers have a new quarterback — second-year QB Brock Purdy is in for Jimmy Garoppolo — and the Chiefs no longer have star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who was the Super Bowl’s leading receiver, among many other changes.
However, both teams have the same head coach: Andy Reid for the Chiefs and Kyle Shanahan for the 49ers. In addition, there are a handful of players who will play in both 49ers-Chiefs Super Bowls, including a couple who will have suited up for both teams.
Who’s back for the Niners?
- FB Kyle Juszczyk
- TE George Kittle
- WR Deebo Samuel
- DL Arik Armstead
- DL Nick Bosa
- DL Kevin Givens
- LB Fred Warner
- LB Dre Greenlaw
- P Mitch Wishnowsky
Nine players are holdovers from the last 49ers NFC championship team, including some of San Francisco’s best players on both sides of the ball.
On offense, tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Deebo Samuel figure to be heavily involved in the 49ers’ offensive attack. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk may not get the ball as often as Samuel and Kittle, but he is an eight-time Pro Bowler and was given his first All-Pro nod this season. In the last Super Bowl, Samuel posted 92 scrimmage yards, Kittle gained 36 yards and Juszczyk caught a touchdown.
Defensively, Nick Bosa and Fred Warner remain two of the 49ers’ star players. Dre Greenlaw caught two interceptions in San Francisco’s playoff win over the Green Bay Packers, and Kevin Givens has played 38 snaps over two playoff games. Wishnowsky is in his fifth year as the 49ers’ punter. In Super Bowl LIV, Warner caught an interception and Bosa had a sack.
Who’s back for the Chiefs?
- QB Patrick Mahomes
- WR Mecole Hardman
- TE Travis Kelce
- TE Blake Bell
- G Nick Allegretti
- DL Chris Jones
- K Harrison Butker
- LS James Winchester
The eight-man roster of Kansas City Chiefs players who played in both Chiefs-49ers matchups includes some studs and some unsung heroes.
Of course, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce have been an unstoppable duo since Mahomes took over as Kansas City’s quarterback. Pass rusher Chris Jones has been a key cog to Kansas City’s success on the defensive side of the ball for years. All three players made an impact in the last matchup: Mahomes won the game’s MVP, Kelce caught a touchdown and Jones swatted three passes.
Backup guard Nick Allegretti may have a big role on Sunday if All-Pro guard Joe Thuney is not healthy enough to suit up. Blake Bell and Mecole Hardman are both back with the Chiefs after brief stints on other teams. On special teams, long snapper James Winchester and kicker Harrison Butker have combined to make up one of the NFL’s best field goal units. Hardman, Bell and Allegretti all had limited roles in the previous Chiefs-49ers Super Bowl while Butker nailed all five of his kicks.
Switching Sides
Both teams have a player who was on the other side for Super Bowl LIV. Wide receiver/return specialist Richie James returned kicks and punts for the 49ers in the last Super Bowl, and he figures to have the same role for the Chiefs on Sunday. James was a 49er for three years and spent last year with the New York Giants before coming to the Chiefs.
49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward started Super Bowl LIV for the Chiefs and made four tackles. He has blossomed into a star in his second season as a 49er, making the Pro Bowl and leading the NFL with 23 passes defended.