As the Chiefs’ Main Rival, Even Longtime Rival Joe Thomas Is Beginning to Own the Steelers

For years, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers have been fierce competitors in the NFL. With the Chiefs consistently at the top of the AFC and the Steelers maintaining a proud, hard-nosed football tradition, their matchups have become some of the most anticipated in the league. But this season, there’s a growing narrative that could add an extra layer to the rivalry—one that has longtime Steelers nemesis **Joe Thomas** starting to take control in what is becoming a one-sided affair.

Yes, you read that correctly. Even after all the years of rivalry, the former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle, Joe Thomas, has managed to make his mark on the Steelers. The shift, however, isn’t happening on the field in the traditional sense—it’s happening in the context of team ownership, leadership, and shifting power dynamics in the AFC.

To understand the full scope of this, you need to look at Thomas’s current role in the NFL after he retired from his illustrious 11-season career in Cleveland. Following his retirement in 2018, Thomas became one of the most well-respected analysts and commentators in the sport. His deep understanding of the game, especially his unique experience playing for a historically downtrodden Browns franchise, has earned him a platform to speak on everything from strategy to culture. And it’s precisely this background that is now giving Thomas a fascinating influence in this rivalry with Pittsburgh.

It all started earlier this year when Thomas became a key voice in the conversation surrounding the Chiefs’ dominant 2024 season. As the Chiefs continued their march through the AFC, taking control of the conference in dominant fashion, Thomas became more vocal in his support of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ leadership under head coach Andy Reid. With every passing week, Thomas has not only praised the Chiefs but subtly hinted that the Steelers, under current coach Mike Tomlin, might be losing their grip as a true AFC powerhouse.

Thomas, who had an entrenched rivalry with the Steelers throughout his playing days in Cleveland, has expressed admiration for how the Chiefs have not only taken over the AFC but have shown an ability to adapt and innovate. In contrast, he’s openly questioned the Steelers’ inability to take the next step in terms of roster development, offensive consistency, and overall team cohesion. He’s not alone in this view. Analysts, former players, and fans alike have noted that the Steelers seem to be in a period of stagnation, while the Chiefs continue to soar.

This season, the Chiefs have once again proven to be an unstoppable force. Their offense remains as potent as ever with Mahomes leading the way, while their defense has drastically improved, positioning them as the team to beat in the AFC. Meanwhile, the Steelers have struggled to stay competitive in a rapidly changing league. While Pittsburgh still boasts one of the most tenacious defenses in the NFL, their offense has continued to sputter. The quarterback situation, with Kenny Pickett in his second year, remains inconsistent, and the team’s ability to score points has been a persistent issue.

For Thomas, this ongoing imbalance between the two teams is a validation of his shift in perspective. His insight into the Steelers’ struggles has only grown sharper with time, and his recent commentary reflects the sense that, at least for the time being, the Chiefs have become the new kings of the AFC, leaving the Steelers to fight for relevancy.

Thomas’s perspective carries weight because of his history with both teams. He knows firsthand how it feels to play for a franchise in the midst of rebuilding, as he did with the Browns for over a decade. His struggles with Cleveland’s inability to win and compete at the highest level are mirrored in the current struggles he sees with Pittsburgh. The Chiefs, in his eyes, have found the formula for long-term success, while the Steelers are still searching for their next true contender.

While Thomas may not be on the field anymore, his voice carries significant influence, especially as the Chiefs continue to assert dominance in the AFC. The Steelers, long the proud competitors in the AFC North and a franchise steeped in championship history, find themselves in a position where they must contend with the new wave of NFL teams—chiefly the Chiefs—who have come to redefine what it means to be an AFC powerhouse.

In fact, when the Chiefs and Steelers meet again later this season, Thomas will no doubt be in the background, watching with a sense of satisfaction as the Chiefs continue to rise. The reality is that the Chiefs are now the team everyone in the AFC has to beat. And as much as it hurts to admit, even some of the most diehard Steelers fans might be forced to admit that their longtime rival has officially moved into a new tier of dominance—one that Joe Thomas is beginning to own.

With the Steelers’ future uncertain and the Chiefs showing no signs of slowing down, it’s clear: for all the history and rivalry that once defined this matchup, it’s the Chiefs who are now shaping the future of the AFC. And yes, Joe Thomas might just be one of the most vocal advocates of that reality.