Mahomes feels 'extreme appreciation' ahead of AFC title game

The allure of playing in the AFC Championship Game hasn't worn off for Patrick Mahomes.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback told reporters Thursday that he's still appreciative of the opportunity to compete in the conference championship, and he encourages his younger teammates to share in his gratitude.

"I have extreme appreciation just for the process of getting here," Mahomes said, according to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I talk about that with some of the younger guys. I mean, some of these guys, all they've known is Super Bowls. I mean, obviously, that's a good problem to have, but I make sure that they know and appreciate this moment and having this opportunity because it doesn't happen every year. It seems like it's happened every year here, but you don't get this opportunity to play in these games and you never know when it's going to be your last one.

"You have to go out there and maximize it. ... When you win the Super Bowl, you start back at the bottom, you start back level with everybody, and you have to go about your process and put in that work. It definitely is a battle every single year. Every season's different, and you just appreciate being in this game and you just try to find a way to maximize it and try to get to that next one."

The defending Super Bowl champions will make their seventh straight appearance in the AFC title game Sunday when they host the Buffalo Bills in pursuit of a three-peat.