“Patrick Mahomes can’t throw the football and catch it himself!” Stephen A. Smith admits Travis Kelce has to step up if Chiefs want to complete the three-peat

Travis Kelce has not contributed positively to the Kansas City Chiefs' offense through 3 games.


“Patrick Mahomes can’t throw the football and catch it himself!” Stephen A. Smith admits Travis Kelce has to step up if Chiefs want to complete the three-peat

Stephen A. Smith explains why it is crucial for Travis Kelce to play at the highest level once again to help Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to win their third Super Bowl (Images via IMAGO)

There has been a disturbing trend that has emerged across the NFL – the struggles faced by tight ends so far. The most concerning performance is that of Travis Kelce, who has yet to have a positive impact on the Kansas City Chiefs. Through three games, Kelce has 8 receptions for 69 yards and 0 touchdowns.

Patrick Mahomes attributed Travis Kelce’s struggles to increased coverage by defenses. However, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith shared his thoughts on Kelce and expressed why it is vital that the star tight end needs to figure out a way to get out of his rut. The analyst emphasized upon the important role played by the tight end in the Chiefs’ offense as they seek to win their third straight Super Bowl.

When you’ve got an elite tight end, that’s a security blanket…the reality is Travis Kelce is a future Hall of Fame tight end. Somehow, some way, he’s always open. He is Mr.Reliable…He went 7 straight years with 1,000+ yards receiving…he’s a primary target for Patrick Mahomes.

Stephen A. Smith said on First Take

Stephen A. Smith pointed out the Chiefs’ struggles on offense last season. When Kadarius Toney and Marques Valdes-Scantling dropped passes which resulted in the Chiefs failing to score early on in the games, Patrick Mahomes always relied upon Travis Kelce to get the ball to the endzone. He has been a safety net for the team and a player that Mahomes can trust to put them in a position to score.

FS Video

The Kansas City Chiefs will need Travis Kelce if they intend to win their third straight Super Bowl

Smith pointed out that this season, fans are seeing a different version of Travis Kelce. The hunger to have an impact on the game seems to have diminished within Kelce. In Super Bowl LVIII, the tight end practically shoved Andy Reid with frustration for not being utilized enough. But when one looks at him on the sidelines this season, he just sits there with a dejected look on his face.

The reality is when you look at him now, you don’t see what you’re accustomed to seeing…but it’s fair to say there’s a lot going on in the life of Travis Kelce that extended beyond football.

Stephen A. Smith added
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce (Images via IMAGO)

Stephen A. Smith believes Kelce’s off-the-field activities such as his romance with Taylor Swift may have something to do with his game so far. The player wearing 87 for the Chiefs is not Travis Kelce, he might look and behave like that but on the field, the tight end has been looking entirely different from what he is accustomed to. Should there be any concern that the tight end is struggling? After all, Kansas City is 3-0.

Stephen A. Smith believes that while the Chiefs may manage to get by the regular season without Kelce’s impact, they will need him to step up if the team intends to win the Super Bowl.

Without this brother to rely upon, Kansas City ain’t winning no damn Super Bowl. I can promise you that. I don’t give a damn how great Patrick Mahomes is, there is one thing Patrick Mahomes cannot do. He cannot throw the football and catch it himself…there is one person he can rely upon week after week after week when it counts and that man is Travis Kelce.

Stephen A. Smith continued

The Chiefs have had narrow victories through their first 3 games. The team has won by a margin of one touchdown or less. As the weeks go on, their schedule will continue to get harder and Kansas City cannot rely upon the opposing defenses to commit penalties and be flagged for it consistently. Travis Kelce needs to step up and contribute to this offense to get back to the Super Bowl. There is only so much that Patrick Mahomes can do too, and at this rate, Kansas City’s likelihood of going to the Super Bowl will continue to diminish.