Super Bowl Week officially kicked off Monday with Opening Night at Caesars Superdome, featuring interviews and media appearances by players and coaches of the Super Bowl LIX participants. A renowned body language expert offers his deep insights into the confidence, mindset, and pressure management of star quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Key insights
- Mahomes thrives under pressure: His rapid speech, animated hip movement, and confident tone suggest he feeds off the high stakes of the moment
- Hurts’ body language signals hidden anxiety: Protective postures and his searching gaze reveal a more internalized pressure
- The Chiefs projected optimism, while the Eagles showed tension
- Mahomes’ upbeat demeanor hyped up the crowd, while Hurts’ ankle pant adjustments hinted at anxiety
As the Chiefs and Eagles prepare to run it back from their meeting two years ago in Super Bowl LVII, noted body language expert Mark Bowden examined the subtle cues, movements, and expressions of both quarterbacks at Super Bowl Opening Night, revealing a tale of two mindsets as they prepare for the biggest game of the year. While Mahomes thrives under pressure and channeled his pre-game adrenaline into outward confidence, Hurts showed internal pressure and a need for external approval, Bowden said in a Covers exclusive.
"Hurts' body language, even in the best of times during interviews after past victories, reveals a complex mix of emotions," Bowden said. "His frequent self-touching (adaptors) suggests underlying nervousness, a trait generally visible in most of his interviews.
"Similarly, upon his arrival at the stadium, he had his hands in his pockets, head down, and jacket zipped up to his chin protectively, aligning with anxious behavior, reinforcing an impression of reservation and potential self-doubt. On the riser, his weight shifting side to side ("chained elephant" style) hints at pent-up nervous energy in front of the large crowd."
A familiar matchup 👀 pic.twitter.com/FXO35kVdoe
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 4, 2025
Hurts: Grappling with pressure
During Hurts' interview, several non-verbal cues offered further reinforcement of his usual baseline behavior.
"Double shoulder shrugs, specifically when he is saying he is always "trying to get better," suggest restraint, modesty, and resigned acceptance around potential success," Bowden said. "Sustained eyebrow raises on being given an "opportunity like this" and on (teammate Saquon) Barkley being a "great addition" to the team indicate a possible desire for unneeded external validation. A painful downward mouth turn (when mentioning Barkley) acknowledges his belief about his teammate’s real threat to the opponent. Small single shoulder raises (on "fight to the finish") might signal uncertainty he feels about a final victory. His voice was soft and calm, showing a low-key approach."
However, Hurts showcased what Bowden called a "true pleasurable smile and more buoyant energy" when discussion at his player podium turned to the Tush Push.
hilarious question 😂 @JalenHurts
— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2025
📺: #SBOpeningNight on NFL Network
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"Overall, Hurts' body language evolves, transitioning from initial reserve to increased energy. This suggests a driven player who grapples with internal pressure and a need for external approval," Bowden said. "His eventual wry smile and optimism hint at his internal belief in victory when alongside his teammates and with his favorite moves, but this optimism appeared often masked by his usual stoicism and nervousness."
Mahomes: A picture of confidence
Mahomes is a three-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP eyeing an historic three-peat. The body language of the Chiefs quarterback presented a contrasting picture.
When he was first seen walking the corridors of the stadium with his head hung, similar to Hurts, he displayed actions that suggest a different underlying cause, according to Bowden.
"Heavy puffing out his breath (likely from excess adrenaline), pensive tongue movements, and cheek grooming show that he is managing a host of intense experiences," the body language expert noted.
"This display of dealing with pent-up energy quickly shifts: When he comes up on the riser in front of the audience, Mahomes displays an upbeat voice, energetic tone, and a swinging hip motion – showing a more aggressive energy compared to Hurts' anxious, pacifying side-to-side shift.
"Mahomes' overall demeanor aligns with his post-victory baseline behavior, suggesting a strong winning mindset and comfort with high-stakes pressure. He channels his pre-interview energy into an outwardly confident persona, reinforcing the idea that he thrives under pressure."
Mahomes really came alive during his scrum interview.
well said, @PatrickMahomes
— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2025
📺: #SBOpeningNight on @nflnetwork
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"His aggressive and direct vocal tone, coupled with a rapid speech pace, suggests a quick and sharp mind that can process and deliver responses very fast," Bowden said. "The frequent quick eyebrow raises demonstrate a desire to connect with his audience, expecting agreement rather than seeking approval. His vocal tone and speed resemble a runaway train, building momentum and pushing towards a final, explosive point.
"When he says, 'I'm always up for the challenge,' his genuine pleasure, fun, and laughter at the idea reinforce his confident and competitive spirit."
