Minneapolis to host if Chiefs-Bucs has to relocate
play
Why Stephen A. is concerned by Tom Brady’s lack of chemistry with Bucs’ offense (1: 55)
Stephen A. Smith explains why Tom Brady and the Bucs need a win more than the Chiefs on Sunday. (1: 55)
2: 09 PM ET
-
Kevin SeifertESPN Staff Writer
- ESPN.com national NFL writer
- ESPN.com NFC North reporter, 2008-2013
- Covered Vikings for Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1999-2008
The NFL has selected U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as the contingency site for Sunday night’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, league executive vice president Jeff Miller confirmed Wednesday.
As of now, the game remains scheduled for Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. However, the Buccaneers have been forced to evacuate the area due to Hurricane Ian’s effects.
U.S Bank Stadium is available because the Vikings will be in London to play the New Orleans Saints.
Miller offered no timetable or deadline for making a decision but pledged that the league will not do anything to “negatively impact public safety efforts in the affected areas.” Miller did state that if the game was moved, it would be played on Sunday night and not a day or two later.
“This is only a contingency,” Miller said, “but we will remain nimble and adaptable. “
The Buccaneers relocated their players, coaches and some of their families to the South Florida area and are practicing at the Miami Dolphins‘ facility. The team still prefers to play in Tampa. Todd Bowles, Bucs coach, stated that “we can’t control outside forces.” “You know, we are thinking about Tampa right now. But where we have to go… hopefully it’s Tampa and everything is fine. That means we are not too damaged. If we do have to play elsewhere, we can just focus and lock in. We won’t feel sorry for ourselves, so we have to be ready to play. “
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said his team will be ready to play wherever the NFL schedules the game.
“We’ll get ourselves ready for that,” Reid said. “When the league announces that, then we’ll move forward in that direction. It could be in Tampa or it could be in Minneapolis. My heart goes out for the people of Tampa. I haven’t followed it and don’t know how big it is. But, from what I heard it sounds like it could make quite a difference. “
This would not be the first time the NFL has moved a game for weather reasons. The most recent instance came in 2021, when Hurricane Ida forced the New Orleans Saints to shift their Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers to Jacksonville.
NFL Nation reporters Jenna Laine and Adam Teicher contributed to this story.
The author of 5 books, 3 of which are New York Times bestsellers. I’ve been published in more than 100 newspapers and magazines and am a frequent commentator on NPR.
