Perhaps the Giants — who have not made the playoffs since the 2016 season, are 2-5 and are swirling the drain with a general manager who might be on his way out and a head coach who just received a vote of confidence from the team’s owner — will be the less dramatic organization on Monday night in Kansas City.
The Chiefs team they will be playing is suffering through a stunningly slow start and is now fighting with the team’s fan base.
In an Instagram skirmish Friday, Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu, 29, said, “This might be one of the most toxic fan bases in all of sports.”
It seems Chiefs fans are not happy with a 3-4 start from a juggernaut that won the Super Bowl two years ago and lost in the championship to the Buccaneers last season. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has also struggled, throwing nine interceptions.
The post that led to Mathieu’s frustration came from “@arrowhead.nation,” a fan account that questioned recent moves by Kansas City GM Brett Veach, including signing defensive end Frank Clark (who has zero sacks) and Anthony Hitchens, a linebacker for a defense that has given up 203 points, tied for the third most in football. Hitchens signed a five-year, $45 million contract with more than $20 million guaranteed in 2018.
Mathieu jumped in and called the fan base “toxic.”
When a fan said the three-time Pro Bowler would be elsewhere next year, Mathieu replied: “somebody gon pay me. I’m too smart & im too good!”
Hitchens has his say as well.
“All we did was go to 3 AFC champions games and 2 Super Bowls and 1 SB win .. in my first 3 years here so far !!y’all fans will never be satisfied it’s sad !!” the 29-year-old Hitchens wrote on Instagram in response to the post.
“These boys will never understand talk big on internet but want pics and autographs in person haha,” Hitchens added. “.. me my family and kids family ‘that don’t exist yet’ are set for life !!! Y’all keep trolling put y’all phones down and go get some money , BTW y’all opinions don’t matter!!”
The Giants will appreciate any opposing in-fighting they can get.