The connection has been there since head coach Andy Reid left the Philadelphia Eagles for Kansas City in 2013, but the circumstances were never exactly right.
That changed for Jeremy Maclin this offseason.
"In the back of my mind it was either I was going stay in Philadelphia or come to Kansas City," Maclin said as he spoke to the media for the first time in his introductory press conference. "Both of those situations made sense and Kansas City made more sense."
Maclin, who was drafted by Reid and the Eagles in 2009, spent the first four seasons of his career under the head coach he now rejoins in Kansas City.
In four seasons under Reid with the Eagles, he compiled 258 receptions for 3,453 yards (13.4 y/r) and 26 touchdowns.
"It's a great thing, phenomenal player," Reid said with a smile. "I think you guys will find this out—that as good of a player as he is, he is even a better person than that.
"All the success he's had in this league and it started right when he was a rookie—one of those few guys that stepped in as a rookie and played well."
After sitting out all of 2013 due to an ACL tear in training camp, Maclin returned to the Eagles on a one-year deal for 2014.
In what turned out to be a great agreement for both the Eagles and Maclin, he had the best season of his career, recording 85 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He also went to his first Pro Bowl.
"From my perspective, it's very rare to get a man of this quality as a person at the age of 26 who has a seamless transition into a system that he is familiar with," Chiefs general manager John Dorsey explained. "Jeremy, not only does he produce on the field, but he's such a great person and the age-factor component for it is very special. It's a very rare thing."
Maclin, who attended the University of Missouri and grew up in Kirkwood, which is about a three-hour drive from Arrowhead Stadium, explained that the decision primarily came down to his family. That to him was more important than anything else.
As far as actual on-the-field play, he's already looking forward to meeting and playing with several of his teammates whom before he only could admire from a distance.
Jeremy Maclin at the podium with John Dorsey and Andy Reid for his welcoming press conference.
"I know [Alex Smith is] a very intelligent quarterback. I think that he does a great job of commanding the huddle," Maclin said. "Jamaal (Charles) is a phenomenal talent. Travis (Kelce) is one of the great young tight ends in this league. "It doesn't stop there; you've got De'Anthony Thomas.
"It's going to be fun. I think the more the better, to have different types of guys who do different things and take the pressure off of each other.
"I think we are going to be pretty good on the offensive side of the ball."
Dorsey, who has always been known for being a scout that regards character as a critical component of a player, continued to stress that part of Maclin throughout the press conference, and it became clear by its conclusion that he was thrilled to have been able to bring him aboard.
"At the end of the day, Jeremy is here. He is a Kansas City Chief. "He is back home where he belongs."
