Andy Reid admits teams were “ganging up” on Travis Kelce when Chiefs didn’t have good players around him

Andy Reid reasoned Travis Kelce's improved production in playoffs to other weapons around him, which creates opportunities for him on field.


Andy Reid admits teams were “ganging up” on Travis Kelce when Chiefs didn’t have good players around him

Travis Kelce and Andy Reid (Via Imago)

While skepticism surrounds the Kansas City Chiefs, tight end Travis Kelce is shining through, seemingly bearing in mind the words of teammate Patrick Mahomes urging him to step up his game– and he certainly delivered. And as fans see him excel on the field, they can’t help but wonder if he has a flip switch for the playoffs. However, head coach Andy Reid believes it’s much more than that. 

When head coach Reid was asked about Kelce’s improved production in the playoffs, he responded by highlighting the positive mindset that the tight end carries, believing he can do anything. He also pointed out that the playoff defense can’t solely focus on the ten-time Pro Bowler as the Chiefs have other weapons around him, which creates opportunities for him. 

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I’m happy for him with the seven catches and all that, but I think more of it is just we have a variety of guys around him. When everybody asks about age – by age or physical ability or anything, I just think that you have a variety of guys that we’ve been able to use around him and when we didn’t, teams were ganging up on him. It’s a good problem now because guys are healthy, and we have choices out there, and they can’t really just focus on him.

Andy Reid said

In a game that was heavily scrutinized over the controversial officiating calls, there wasn’t a doubt regarding the brilliance portrayed by the three-time All-Pro tight end. By leading the Chiefs with 117 yards with seven catches and a touchdown, he marked his ninth postseason game to exceed 100 receiving yards. 

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Andy Reid praises Travis Kelce as a positive force in the locker room

While talking about Kelce, the three-time Super Bowl-winning head coach also appreciated the tight end for being an exemplar for the locker room. He emphasized that Kelce inspires his teammates with positive energy, instilling in them the belief that they can achieve anything together. 

Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce
Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce (Via Sporting News)

I think he does a great job with that and being able to show it to the guys that – listen, [when] we come together the right way, anything’s possible. That’s the thing I appreciate [about] him the most.

Andy Reid added

As the tight end moves forward with his NFL career, there have been a lot of questions relating to his retirement plan since he will turn 36 this year. In his quest to prove himself, Kelce has firmly established his legacy among the legends of the game and may one day be honored with the Hall of Fame induction; but he still wants to continue playing purely out of his love for the sport. 

Related: Tom Brady once silenced haters with savage social media post after beating Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs in AFC Championship Game