The NFL is making the Chiefs the example as it proves a bigger point about its future and what it means for every other team

When the NFL announced the Los Angeles Chargers would be the second team to host an NFL game in Brazil, that had presumably taken the Kansas City Chiefs out of Brazilian fans' radar. After all, it would be hard to project a huge divisional game being played outside of the United States. Guess what, this is where the league is going.

The NFL is making a statement by putting an AFC West game in another country. And it's for several reasons. First, the league sees Brazil as a big part of the international plans. Last year, the league had a big game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers in São Paulo—a matchup that would repeat itself in the playoffs. Now, it's Patrick Mahomes versus Justin Herbert. Second, the NFL wants to send a message that its international plans won't stop.

"With regard to international games, there is a resolution that was approved, under which teams give up one home game to play internationally every four years," said Peter O'Reilly, NFL's executive vice president of Club Business. "In this case, the Chargers were designated as the home team and, in turn, the Chiefs were designated as the opponent. I think what we've seen overall in the past 10 years, certainly in the last five, is that teams are 'raising their hands.' And now all of them have also experienced international games and see the opportunity and what this experience represents for their players. So, yes is the answer to the question about whether other clubs are interested in playing in Brazil, whether this year or in the future, especially those that have international market rights there."

The NFL established an office in Brazil to expand its marketing opportunities. Four teams claimed NFL's Global Markets rights over the South American country—Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions.

"We are focused on this year's game, but we are committed to Brazil in the long term," O'Reilly added, considering that Rio de Janeiro could receive games in the near future. "The São Paulo office and the games are a key part of that. So we will continue evaluating."

Because of their long history and great recent results, the Kansas City Chiefs are an impactful tool for the NFL to build its brand in other places. It's a lesson for other teams about how important these international games are, and a message about how Brazil is growing in the league's plans.

"Without a doubt, there is demand and passion in the market for us to keep coming and playing," O'Reilly stressed. "We will have a watch party in Rio, because we wanted to continue building this partnership and do something bigger, so that fans who won't be able to be in São Paulo can experience the NFL. Last year we didn't have this, and we are implementing it this year, not only in Rio but also in other cities around the world."

Football is not just an American sport anymore.