Should the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs win their games on Sunday, the two squads would face one another in the Super Bowl two weeks later. For one player, such a matchup would have some added meaning.
Defensive end Dee Ford played in Kansas City last season. That ended when the Chiefs shipped him to the 49ers in exchange for a second-round draft pick. For San Francisco, it meant bolstering its struggling pass rush. For Ford, it meant a new home and a new brotherhood.
Less than a year removed from his time in Kansas City, Ford is one game away from a potential reunion with his former team on sports' biggest stage.
"It's going to mean a whole lot," Ford told Rich Eisen this week. "I've got so much love for so many people over there, and you know what it's like playing your brother. It's different. It's just going to be different. I think anybody who would say otherwise is lying to you. It's going to be different. It's going to be fun, and I would love to see that.
"And I'm going to talk. I'm going to talk, talk, talk the whole game. I don't talk a lot. I'm going to talk."
One of the players Ford might direct his words toward is Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who he remembers having to cover one-on-one during training camp.
"We would embarrass each other," Ford shared.
Ford says he loves playing for the 49ers, but the idea of going against his former team is an opportunity he would welcome.
"It's going to be special," Ford added. "I can't be more blessed to be in this position right now."
Ford also discussed what it was like being sidelined for much of the season, playing for Robert Saleh, and what Cam Newton has meant for his career.
H/t to Patrick Tulini for the find.