Joe Montana Reflects on Missed Super Bowl Opportunity With Chiefs

The Hall of Fame QB says he should have reached the Super Bowl with Kansas City in 1993.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Joe Montana, the legendary NFL quarterback who won four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers, opened up about his time with the Kansas City Chiefs in the early 1990s. Montana said the Chiefs should have reached the Super Bowl in 1993 but lost in the AFC Championship game to the Buffalo Bills. He also discussed his decision to retire after the 1994 season, citing concerns about his health and ability to keep up with his kids.

Why it matters

Montana's comments provide insight into the twilight of his storied career and the what-ifs surrounding his time with the Chiefs. As one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Montana's reflections on narrowly missing the Super Bowl with Kansas City offer a unique perspective on the challenges even elite players can face at the end of their careers.

The details

After 14 seasons and four Super Bowl titles with the 49ers, Montana was traded to the Chiefs in 1993. In his first season in Kansas City, the team went 11-5 and reached the AFC Championship game, where they lost 30-13 to the Bills. Montana said the Chiefs should have made it to the Super Bowl that year, but "screwed up" and lost home-field advantage. The following season, the Chiefs made the playoffs again but lost in the wild-card round. Montana retired after the 1994 campaign, citing concerns about his health and ability to keep up with his kids.

  • In 1993, the Chiefs went 11-5 and reached the AFC Championship game.
  • In 1994, the Chiefs went 9-7 and lost in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
  • Montana retired after the 1994 season.

The players

Joe Montana

A Hall of Fame quarterback who won four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers and spent his final two NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Steve Young

The future Hall of Fame quarterback who took over as the starter for the 49ers after Montana's injuries in the early 1990s.

Bill Walsh

The legendary head coach of the 49ers, who Montana credited with making the decision for him to retire.

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What they’re saying

“Unfortunately, we screwed up in Kansas City and lost a game that lost home-field advantage for us and ended up going to Buffalo. We should have gone to the Super Bowl that year.”

— Joe Montana (CNBC)

“I wasn't ready for succession.”

— Joe Montana (CNBC)

“We had a great team, a great organization in Kansas City. I loved my time there. I look back, I got a concussion and I started looking at my kids going, 'I want to at least be able to physically move around and do things with them.' Made sort of like a Bill Walsh decision. Got out of there too soon.”

— Joe Montana (CNBC)

What’s next

There are no clear future newsworthy moments related to this story.

The takeaway

Joe Montana's reflections on his time with the Kansas City Chiefs provide a rare glimpse into the challenges even legendary players can face at the end of their careers. His comments about narrowly missing the Super Bowl and ultimately deciding to retire highlight the difficult decisions professional athletes must make when balancing their competitive drive with concerns about their long-term health and family life.