For Tennessee fans hoping to see a former Vol win a Super Bowl ring, there’s one simple thing they need to root for
There’s only one result where a VFL won’t claim a Super Bowl ring this year.
The NFL has concluded the divisional round, and there are now four teams left standing with dreams of raising the Lombardi Trophy in San Francisco on Feb. 5. And for fans of the Tennessee Volunteers hoping to see one of their own get a Super Bowl ring, that’s become a distinct possibility with conference championship weekend on the horizon.
Vol fans have been used to seeing Trey Smith carry the Big Orange banner with the Kansas City Chiefs as they made an almost annual appearance in the sport’s biggest event and took home multiple titles.
But now, with the Chiefs missing the playoffs, it’s time for another Tennessee player to taste being a champion for the first time ever. The New England Patriots and Denver Broncos are still alive in the AFC, and the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are the final two teams in the NFC.
Tennessee has football alumni on three of the four remaining Super Bowl contenders
The Broncos are the only team of the four that currently have no Tennessee players on their active or practice squad rosters. They face off against the Patriots on Sunday in Denver for the AFC crown. The Patriots have former Tennessee QB and fan favorite Josh Dobbs as Drake Maye’s primary backup. Defensive end Darrell Taylor is also on their practice squad.
In the NFC, the Rams have multiple former Vols who are playing key roles on the Los Angeles Rams’ defense. Edge rusher Byron Young had a career year with 12 sacks, and safety Jaylen McCollough has 51 total tackles, two sacks, and four passes defended this season. Seattle has former Vols wide receiver Velus Jones, Jr. on the practice squad. And according to the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, practice squad players receive Super Bowl rings.
The bottom line is that if the Patriots defeat the Broncos on Sunday, one former Vol will become a Super Bowl champion. If Denver goes all the way, the Vols will be shut out. However, with the Broncos losing starting QB Bo Nix for the season with an ankle injury on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills, the task of winning two in a row from here is a very tall one for them.
So, for Vol fans with no vested interest in the Broncos’ success, the rooting choice is clear.
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