Travis Kelce’s on-field impact for the Kansas City Chiefs is widely acknowledged. However, his relationship with Taylor Swift, which has elevated him as a global celebrity much beyond the game’s reach, often leads to Kelce’s on-field brilliance getting less attention.
Advertisement
Behind his rugged 6’5″ frame and charismatic personality lies a sharp mind and a high football IQ, pointed out Kelce’s teammate, Justin Reid, talking on Richard Sherman’s podcast.
Reid explained that Kelce not only understands the routes of the receivers around him but also knows exactly how to get open. He noted that the three-time Super Bowl winner has a unique ability to adjust his route instantly, based on the coverage, seamlessly fitting into the play without disrupting others.
This knack for finding space is what makes him so difficult to guard, and the main reason for his special connection with Patrick Mahomes.
” This is the part that’s not spoken about- how smart he is on the football field. He has the awareness to know that what the other guys around me are running these routes and I’m not the guy that run into being covered. He will change his route on a fly. He just gets open and him and 15 have that connection and it is impossible to guard,” explained the Chiefs’ safety.
Reid, while playing for the Houston Texans, was at the receiving end of the nine-time Pro Bowler’s brilliance. The opposition always found Kelce to be a tough nut to crack though he has also been criticized at times for blocking as a Tight End.
However, of late, the opposition teams have started to catch on as Kelce approaches the final years of his career. This is more glaring with the early-season he has been enduring this year. Even Mahomes is now preferring to throw the ball to other wideouts.
As the season moves forward, Kelce is beginning to get into his grove, changing his playing style.
Kelce finally ends his season drought, scores his first TD
Before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Kelce’s stats read: six games, 28 receptions, 245 yards and no TD. Against Las Vegas, he opened the Tuddies account, and registered a season-best 10 receptions for 90 yards.
The veteran sure felt good finding himself in the end zone.
“About damn time. It felt good to be in the end zone. I haven’t felt that end zone in a long time. It was kind of like, ‘Oh s**t, what do I do now? It’s like when you go back home. You’re just like, ‘Well now what do I do? Do I go to see this person first or that person first, do I go to the high school, do I go to my favorite restaurant?” said Kelce in the latest episode of the New Heights podcast.
Kelce was so dazed that he needed the help from his teammate, DeAndre Hopkins, to celebrate. D-Hop jumped on Kelce’s shoulder to snap him into action. Now that the elusive TD has arrived, maybe Travis will get back his habit of celebrating, and celebrating in style.
