Travis Kelce Admits Big Regret From Chiefs Career
Shortly after the Kansas City Chiefs drafted a young quarterback named Patrick Mahomes in 2017, star tight end Travis Kelce lost the opportunity to fulfill one of his biggest wishes.
He lives with the guilt to this day. Kelce, 35, has spent his entire NFL career in Kansas City. This season, he broke the franchise record for career touchdown receptions, eclipsing Tony Gonzalez’s 76.
Though Kelce’s connection with Mahomes has set records in its own right, 22 of his 77 touchdown catches for the Chiefs came with a different quarterback under center. Kelce still feels “guilty” that he never got to repay Alex Smith with some hardware.
In an interview with ESPN ahead of Kansas City’s AFC championship showdown with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Kelce opened up about his relationship with Smith, who played quarterback for the Chiefs from 2013-2017.
“I wanted to get [a Super Bowl] for Alex,” Kelce said. “He was such a leader to me, showed me how to do it the right way. I wanted to go out and get one for him or at least keep fighting for him. I felt guilty I wasn’t able to get one for him.”
The Chiefs lost to the Tennessee Titans in their opening game of the 2017 NFL playoffs after Smith led them to a 10-6 record in the regular season.
He was traded to Washington in the offseason, and Mahomes has been the starter in Kansas City ever since. “At the same time, everybody knew what we had in Pat,” Kelce said of Mahomes’ arrival.
“I was excited about having a new wave of energy and excitement in the offense, a guy with a big arm, a guy that could do it all.” On the surface, things have not worked out so bad for Kelce, who now owns three Super Bowl rings. Mahomes certainly helped by putting up Super Bowl MVP performances in the 2020, 2023 and 2024 seasons.
As Kansas City continues its chase to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls, Kelce’s admission showed why he is adored by everyone from his teammates to coaches to Taylor Swift.
Through all of his success, it has been about his teammates more than himself.
