Wisconsin Connections in Super Bowl LVIII: Chiefs vs 49ers

Super Bowl LVIII is set to feature a number of connections to the state of Wisconsin as the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers prepare to battle for NFL supremacy on February 11th in Las Vegas.

One notable figure with ties to the Green Bay Packers is Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. Reid previously served as an assistant coach for the Packers from 1992 to 1998 and worked closely with legendary quarterback Brett Favre.

On the player side, the 49ers have Packers linebacker Nick Bosa on their roster. Bosa, a Wisconsin native and former Badgers standout, had an impressive rookie season last year, including a Super Bowl appearance.

Another familiar face is Chiefs receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who spent four years with the Packers before joining Kansas City. MVS has made big plays in back-to-back conference title games, showcasing his deep-threat abilities.

Tommy Caliendo, a lineman who previously played for the Packers, has seen action for the Chiefs in the playoffs due to injuries on the offensive line. He played a role in the AFC championship game and will likely contribute in the Super Bowl as well.

Former Packers player Eddie Goldman, now a nose tackle for the Chiefs, is making his second Super Bowl appearance, having won the championship with Kansas City in the 2019 season.

On the coaching side, 49ers linebackers coach George Koonce spent time with the Packers organization as a defensive quality control coach in the 1990s. He later became a respected coaching veteran and part of the Packers Hall of Fame.

The 49ers also have linebacker Elijah Lee, who previously played for the Packers and has had a solid season contributing on both defense and special teams.

Colin Holba, the long snapper for the 49ers, appeared in a few games for the Packers in 2017 and has been a consistent presence for San Francisco since 2020.

Lastly, 49ers star tight end George Kittle, although born in Madison, Wisconsin, did not spend much time in the state growing up. However, he has ties to the Green Bay Packers, as his parents had to navigate through game-day traffic to reach the hospital for his birth.

The Packers also had a chance to draft another standout player in the 2020 NFL draft, Brandon Aiyuk, who ended up with the 49ers. It is speculated that the Packers were considering Aiyuk, but they ultimately traded up to select quarterback Jordan Love.