Patrick Mahomes says winning games is still a priority, he is confident Travis Kelce will ‘eat’ despite his slow start
There is no question that Travis Kelce is Patrick Mahomes’ favorite.
Over the past few seasons, the tight end and quarterback duo has been one of the most effective tandems in the NFL. From 2016-22, Kelce recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in each season. Mahomes was drafted in 2017 and became a full-time starter in 2018.
However, Kelce’s production through the first few games of the 2024 season has become a topic of conversation in the sports world. The star tight end enters Week 4 with 69 total receiving yards.
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Travis Kelce, #87, and Patrick Mahomes, #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs, watch before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Kelce recently talked about his slow start, saying that winning games is his priority.
“I’ve caught a lot of things in this league, man,” Kelce said on a recent episode of the “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce” podcast. “I’m not worried about catches and yards and all that. I’m more excited when the ball is thrown my way. Who doesn’t? But it’s all about execution and making sure we do it. Whatever we can do to win these football games, that’s going to be the goal.
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On Wednesday, Mahomes weighed in on Kelce’s production so far.
“I feel like I want to give him the ball more, and he’s like, ‘I just want to win, man. I don’t care, I’m going to run these routes and go with the guys so they can find others. Open up,'” the striker told reporters.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, #15, looks up to tight end Travis Kelce, #87, before an NFL preseason football game Saturday, August 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, in Florida. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)
“We understand he’s an important part of this offense, and we want to make sure we’re still playing him, but at the same time, if the defense is going to take him, I’m going to feed the other guys the ball again. Let them make plays as the season goes on, if we continue to show that we’re going to throw it to Rashee [Rice] and we’re going to throw it to these other guys, and they’re going to make plays, teams are going to have to make those individual matchups and that’s where Travis is going to eat. “
Rashee Rice’s second NFL season is off to a great start. The former SMU standout has two touchdown receptions and has amassed 288 receiving yards so far this year.
Mahomes also praised Kelce for his leadership and commitment to doing whatever it takes for the Chiefs to win each week.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, #87, reacts after receiving a first down during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5, 2024. (Photos by Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn)
“When we win, he’s good at going out and playing hard, blocking, doing everything he can to make an impact in the game,” said Mahomes.
“Every time we win games like this, everybody, everybody, wants to win at the end of the day. He does a great job of being a leader on the team, playing hard, doing everything he can to make the team. He impacts the game. When you do that in this league, usually good things come, and I’m excited for him to go out there and make an impact getting the ball.”
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The Chiefs’ offense was pedestrian in the 2023 campaign, as the team addressed issues with the wide receiver group. However, Kelce’s production increased once the playoffs began. He finished the AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens with 116 yards receiving.
Kelce also had success when he faced the team that will play against the Chiefs, the Los Angeles Chargers, during his time.
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