“He is a Hall of Famer RIGHT NOW,” Stephen A. Smith is all praises for Travis Kelce ahead of the AFC Championship against the Bengals
Stephen A. Smith says Travis Kelce is a Hall of Fame tight end and there is no doubt about it.
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Stephen A. Smith and Travis Kelce (Image via YouTube and Business Insider)
Travis Kelce is undoubtedly the most important Chiefs player aside from Patrick Mahomes. Kelce is considered one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history with his incredible production each and every season. He has seven consecutive 1000-yard seasons and also holds the record of most receiving yards (1416 yards) in a season by a tight end along with numerous other records, making him one of the great.
After being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft, he quickly rose to become the centerpiece of their offense. With the addition of Patrick Mahomes in 2018, the Chiefs become virtually unstoppable. Kansas City won Super Bowl LIV against the 49ers and lost the very next year to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
Now, the Chiefs have a chance at redemption as they made their fifth straight AFC Championship game by defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in the divisional playoffs. All eyes will be set on Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes to see what magic they create against Joe Burrow and the Bengals on Sunday night.
Travis Kelce led the league in tight ends for receiving yards this season
Stephen A. Smith was all praises for Travis Kelce, who had yet another exceptional season. Smith was asked by host Molly Qerim on the show First Take, who he thought was the most important Chief other than Mahomes. “Well, to me it’s Travis Kelce,” Smith replied. The 33-year-old Pro Bowlers has had 110 receptions, 1338 yards, and 12 touchdowns this year leading the league for tight ends.
“It’s time to start talking about Travis Kelce in a different light. Not only is he the best tight end in football, he is a Hall of Famer right now. There’s nothing to debate. He’s just thrived, and he is obviously a primary target for Patrick Mahomes, particularly with the exit of Tyreek Hill.” Kelce has 14 receptions for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns last week against the Jaguars, which clearly says that Mahomes trusts him to score on important downs.
Smith also added that Kelce is the modern-day version of Rob Gronkowski as Mahomes is for Tom Brady. Brady and Gronk were the most feared QB-TE duo in the league during their time in Foxboro and Tampa Bay. The two had such unique chemistry and their uncanny ability to connect for a touchdown in the endzone with piles of dudes covering Gronk is something that is yet to be replicated.
But Mahomes-Kelce does come a close second to the iconic duo. They also give off a similar vibe to Brady and Gronk, but they are yet to achieve what those two did. Although as Smith said, Travis Kelce has already had a Hall of Fame career with his resume. The Bengals’ defense’s first task will be to cover Kelce and keep him from receiving any passes, but judging by his performance, Cincinnati can try all they want, but he will find a way to score. Let’s see what happens on Sunday night with the Super Bowl on the line!
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Yash Karandekar
(1023 Articles Published)