Travis Kelce expressed his frustration with the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive struggles by tossing his helmet on the sideline during Monday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
In his “New Heights” podcast with brother Jason, the star tight end reiterated his concerns, emphasizing that accountability for the team’s offensive issues falls on everyone, including himself.
“It’s not just one guy,” Kelce asserted. “It’s not just me playing like dog s—. It’s not just us struggling to establish the run game. It’s not just our lack of synchronization in the passing game. Every single one of us is in this together. At some point, everyone fails to meet their responsibilities.”
Kelce highlighted various aspects contributing to their offensive woes, from preparation and understanding defensive coverages to execution in blocking schemes and route running against specific defenses.
The Chiefs (9-6) have been plagued by inconsistent offensive performances throughout the season, characterized by numerous dropped passes (34), leading the league, along with tying for the most offensive penalties (56) and ranking sixth in turnovers (26).
Despite their recent struggles, the Chiefs maintain a two-game lead atop the AFC West and can secure the division title with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Asked by Jason how the Chiefs could rectify their issues, Kelce emphasized a straightforward approach: “Everyone just needs to f—ing do their job.”
The Chiefs started sluggishly against the Raiders, mustering minus-18 yards of offense in the first quarter of their 20-14 defeat, marking the lowest opening-period total for any NFL team in 12 seasons. Las Vegas capitalized with two defensive touchdowns, one off a fumble return and another from an interception.
Reflecting on the season, Kelce acknowledged flashes of their high-powered offense but lamented frequent self-inflicted setbacks like penalties and long-yardage situations.
Kansas City Chiefs (Credits: Getty Images)
“We need to get on the same f—ing page,” Kelce stressed. “Maybe it’s about more communication in the facility, more post-practice reps, or enhanced film room sessions.
Whatever it takes, we need to change something because the lack of cohesion has been a consistent issue. We need to take more ownership of our performance. I’m not exempt from this; I’m a major part of it. We need to clean up our act.”
Patrick Mahomes chimed in, interpreting Kelce’s frustration as a sign of passion and dedication to winning.
“When I see that frustration, I see someone who cares deeply about the game and is striving to improve, not just for themselves but for the team,” Mahomes remarked.
Kelce also expressed regret over tossing his helmet during the game and acknowledged the impact of his actions.
Head coach Andy Reid intervened, preventing Kelce from retrieving his helmet and engaging in a brief conversation with him. Reid later praised Kelce’s performance despite the incident.
“He looks out for me, and I appreciate that,” Kelce acknowledged. “I didn’t respond well. He wanted to see passion from me, and I reacted poorly. I need to lock in and be more accountable for him and my teammates. As a leader on this team, I need to maintain my composure because that’s how you shift momentum.”
Reid acknowledged the team’s dwindling tolerance for underperformance given their history of success.
“Football is an emotional game, so outbursts like that are not unexpected,” Reid explained. “What’s crucial is channeling that energy constructively to address our issues and move forward.”
The Chiefs aim to rebound and secure their playoff spot with a strong showing against the Bengals, aiming to restore their offensive prowess and maintain their postseason aspirations.
