There’s no question that Travis Kelce is Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target.
Over the past few seasons, this tight end/quarterback duo has become one of the most prolific in the NFL. From 2016 to 2022, Kelce recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in each season. Mahomes was drafted in 2017 and became a full-time starter in 2018.
However, Kelce’s performance in the first few games of the 2024 season has been the talk of the sports world. The star tight end entered Week 4 with 69 total receiving yards.
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Kansas City Chiefs’ No. 87 Travis Kelce and No. 15 Patrick Mahomes look on before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
Kelce recently addressed his slow start and said winning games is his top priority.
“There’s been a lot of catching in this league,” Kelce said on the latest episode of the “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce” podcast. “I don’t worry about catches and yards and all that stuff. I’m most happy when the ball is thrown my way. Who doesn’t? But it’s about execution and how well we do it.” It’s all about making sure we’re doing everything we can to win the football game, and that’s always the goal.”
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On Wednesday, Mahomes offered his thoughts on Kelce’s production thus far.
“I want to give him the ball more, but he’s just like, ‘I just want to win. I don’t care, I’m going to run these routes and make sure other guys can get them. We’re going to take our players.’ We’re open,” the quarterback told reporters.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback No. 15 Patrick Mahomes poses with tight end No. 87 Travis before a preseason NFL football game at Everbank Stadium on Saturday, August 10, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. – Stare next to Kelsey. (Cory Perine/Florida Times Union)
“We understand he’s a big part of this offense and we want to make sure we continue to feature him, but at the same time, if the defense is going to take him away, I don’t want to use other players. If we continue to feed the players the ball and as the season goes on, we continue to show that we’re going to throw to Lachie (Rice), we’ll throw to other guys and they’ll make plays, the team will make those one. We have to have a one-on-one matchup, and that’s when Travis eats.”
Laci Rice’s second NFL season is off to a strong start. The former SMU standout has two touchdown receptions and has amassed 288 receiving yards so far this year.
Mahomes also praised Kelce’s leadership and dedication to doing whatever it takes to help the Chiefs win every week.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end #87 Travis Kelce reacts after a first down in the first half against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff-Imagine Images)
“If we’re winning, he just has to go out there and play hard, block and do whatever he can to impact the game,” Mahomes said.
“Whenever you’re winning a game like this, it’s everyone’s feeling. At the end of the day, you just want to win. He’s doing a great job as a leader of the team, playing hard and doing what he can to move up the standings. When you do that in this league, good things usually happen and I’m looking forward to him going out there and receiving the ball and making an impact.”
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The Chiefs’ offense was mostly on track throughout the 2023 season as the team addressed some issues with their wide receiver group. However, once the playoffs began, Kelce’s production increased. He had 116 receiving yards in the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Kelce has also had success against the Chiefs’ next opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers, throughout his career.
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