Travis Kelce highlights that the offensive challenges of the Chiefs go beyond the performance of a single player.
Travis Kelce’s dissatisfaction with the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive woes was evident in Monday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders when he showed his frustration by throwing his helmet on the sidelines.
In a recent installment of his “New Heights” podcast, co-hosted with his brother Jason, the standout tight end recognized that the team as a whole shares the accountability for the persistent offensive challenges.
Travis Kelce underscored, “It’s not exclusively the fault of one individual. It’s not just my performance taking a hit. It’s not solely our struggle to establish the run game. It’s not merely a lack of coordination in our passing game. Every team member contributes to this challenging situation. At various moments, everyone has failed to meet their accountability.”
During the season, the Chiefs (9-6) have grappled with erratic offensive performance, characterized by a concerning number of dropped passes (34), sharing the lead for the most offensive penalties (56), and ranking sixth in turnovers (26) in the NFL. Despite losing three of their last four games, they maintain a two-game lead in the AFC West and have the opportunity to clinch the division title with a victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
In response to Jason’s inquiry about addressing these challenges, Travis emphasized, “Everyone just needs to execute their responsibilities.”
In the initial quarter of their recent 20-14 loss to the Raiders, the Chiefs recorded a dismal minus-18 yards of offense, marking the lowest opening-period total for any NFL team in 12 seasons. Las Vegas capitalized on defensive touchdowns, scoring one from a fumble return and another from an interception.
Kelce acknowledged the team’s potential for a high-powered offense but emphasized the necessity of eliminating self-inflicted setbacks, such as penalties and unfavorable down-and-distance situations. He proposed increased team communication, extra post-practice repetitions, and enhanced collaboration in the film room to foster better cohesion.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes defended the visible frustration within the team, interpreting it as a sign of caring and a shared desire to collectively improve. He stressed that such emotions indicate a commitment to winning and a dedication to bettering themselves for the team.
Kelce openly expressed remorse for his helmet-throwing incident, recognizing Coach Andy Reid’s efforts to bring out the best in him. In response, Reid praised Kelce’s performance following the incident and underscored the significance of directing emotions in the right direction. Reid pointed out that the team’s tolerance for underperformance has decreased given their past success and emphasized the necessity of confronting and resolving their ongoing challenges.
