Patrick Mahomes Defends Travis Kelce Amid Criticism of NFL Performance
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has stepped up to defend his teammate Travis Kelce following criticism of the tight end’s recent NFL performance. Despite Kelce’s slow start to the season, Mahomes emphasized the respect and admiration the entire team has for Kelce, reaffirming the important role he plays in the Chiefs’ offensive strategy.
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After the Chiefs’ win against the Atlanta Falcons on September 22nd, Mahomes addressed the media, expressing how the team continues to rely on Kelce’s abilities. “Yeah, it’s crazy because the respect factor they have for Travis is just unreal – and it’s well-deserved,” Mahomes stated. He added that they have been calling numerous plays for Kelce, but he is often targeted by two or three defenders at a time, making it difficult for him to have his usual impact.
Mahomes further explained that Kelce’s presence on the field is invaluable, as the heavy defensive focus on him creates opportunities for other Chiefs players to shine. “He understands, and I think that’s the great thing about him. He wants to make an impact on the game, but he wants to win at the end of the day,” Mahomes shared. This strategy has been effective, as the Chiefs have won all three of their games so far this season.
Despite his team’s success, Kelce has experienced a dip in his average performance, especially during the games that his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, attended. However, Kelce himself isn’t overly concerned about the statistics. Speaking on the September 18th episode of the “New Heights” podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce, Travis shared his perspective on the season so far. “For whatever reason, these past two games, it hasn’t gone that way for me. That’s football, man. I’m not about to sit here and get frustrated about it.”
Kelce revealed that earlier in his career, he would become extremely upset when things didn’t go his way, but he has since developed a more composed approach. He now focuses on analyzing his performance, saying, “Moving forward, it’s just about how can I be better in those moments. What’s the issue? Am I not playing on my route fast enough? Whatever the situation may be, it’s all place-specific.”
Mahomes’ defense of Kelce underscores the tight end’s significance to the team and highlights the challenges he faces as one of the most heavily guarded players in the league. As the Chiefs continue to build on their successful start to the season, both Mahomes and Kelce are determined to adapt and improve, showcasing their unwavering commitment to achieving victory.
