‘He has the heart of a champion’: Patrick Mahomes expounds on key playmaker’s true value to the Chiefs

The connection that Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have both on and off the field is always on full display.

Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after Mahomes’ touchdown against the Houston Texans during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead

And Tuesday was no different.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback was asked about what playoff football means to Kelce. And his answer showed just how important the tight end is to the team.

“I think it’s just the greats, man. They step up in the playoffs and it’s just higher intensity,” Mahomes told reporters. “The best players and the best leaders step up and make the best plays and he’s (Travis Kelce) done that and (I) expect the same from him going into these playoffs. I think his mentality that he steps on the football field with at practice and on game day is kind of resonates with the entire team and gets everybody to play their best football and that’s what it takes in order to win championships.”

Last season, Kelce opted to rest prior to the team’s Wild Card Playoff game against the Miami Dolphins. And it showed Mahomes and the rest of the team one very specific thing.

“I think that and – I think it meant a lot to the team that he (Travis Kelce) put the team above himself in that moment,” Mahomes said. “I mean, he obviously could’ve got 1,000 yards pretty quickly there and all of us wanted him to get 1,000 yards. He said, ‘That’s not my goal, my goal is to win a Super Bowl,’ and I think guys took that and they ran with it. Then, obviously he stepped up his play and made a lot of big time plays and it worked out all for the best.”

Even Mahomes wanted Kelce to reach that milestone.

“I think – I mean, I still wanted him (Travis Kelce) to get it (1,000 yards), I’m going to be honest with you,” he added.

But, in the end, his actions truly helped as the team went on to win Super Bowl LVIII.

“I think it just – it inspired the team, and I think he kind of has the heart of a champion and I think that inspires everybody,” Mahomes explained. “When your leaders and your Hall of Fame guys are doing that, I think everybody knows that they have to put it all on the line.”