If you’re an NFL fan, you probably have some preconceived notions about the rapport that Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chief developed and maintained over the course of five seasons. Together, they guided the Chiefs to two Super Bowl victories in a span of only four years.
Travis joined the Chiefs four years before Patrick and both players spent their entire NFL careers there. The rookie quarterback’s performance left the Chiefs’ tight end with little hope, but the quarterback quickly displayed his God-given talent.
Kelce’s surprising take on rookie Mahomes
While Mahomes was the top pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Travis was selected by the Chiefs in the 2013 NFL Draft. Therefore, the 33-year-old was already an experienced player when the two-time MVP came.
On the ‘Bussin’ With The Boys’ podcast, the former Pro Bowler nonetheless recently said that his initial impression of Pat was unsatisfactory. The seasoned athlete first failed to notice Patrick’s inherent athleticism, but he was shocked to see the quarterback snap the ball for the first time.
“He was not a polished QB, but when the ball snapped, I mean he’s Patrick Mahomes, he’s just natural from the get-go”. Kelce continues, “I remember watching him on Scout team I was just like this is what this guy is capable of doing.”
Kelce discovered that Pat, with a strong passion for playing did not enjoy sitting still but rather appeared to be sprinting for the ball and demonstrating his superiority throughout all the time. The competitive attitude of Pats merely dispelled his first misconception of him and encouraged others to think highly of him as a leader, which Mahomes successfully demonstrated.
“The first like impression you get from them is just a relatable dude. He just loves ball, he just likes to be around the guys and shoot the sh*t, be in the locker room kicking it um, and then competitive wise. He’s just always playing something doing something competing at something.”
When did Patrick Mahomes become a starter for the Chiefs?
Pat started his NFL journey with the Chiefs being the team’s first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft. When he started with the team, he was not initially assigned the starter job. The 27-year-old spent almost all of that season as the backup to Alex Smith.
Three weeks after the season ended in 2018, the Chiefs agreed to trade Smith which opened the luck for Mahomes who was initially announced as the starter for that season. The young player showed up his worth and the Chiefs’ trust in him throwing for 50 touchdowns and tying for the second-most. In his second year with them, he won his first MVP award in 2018.
Only the top quarterbacks in the NFL can match Mahomes’ accomplishments, which he has already attained in just six seasons with the Chiefs. Hence, it can be easily assumed that the quarterback will continue to lead the team during the next season and Travis will serve as his strongest weapon to protect him.
