- Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes has been playing like a backup QB but is undefeated, and he can only get better
- San Francisco 49ers. Fred Warner names Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce the best as he has yet to beat them
As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for their next game, all eyes are on star tight end Travis Kelce, who has been the subject of much speculation this season. After an offseason filled with headlines about his whirlwind romance with pop sensation Taylor Swift, Kelce's performance on the field seemed to falter early in the season. However, Chiefs' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo isn't worried-and neither is the team.
A rocky start
Kelce got off to a slow start, managing just eight catches in the Chiefs' first three games. Fans and analysts alike questioned if his high-profile relationship with Taylor and a busy summer of international travel were distracting the veteran from his game.
Critics pointed to the couple's numerous public outings, from romantic dinners in New York City to high-profile appearances at events like the US Open, as possible reasons for Kelce's early struggles. Some even suggested Swift's decision to skip a Chiefs game in Los Angeles last month was a calculated move to keep the spotlight off her boyfriend.
Spagnuolo dismisses the noise
Despite the chatter, Spagnuolo remains unfazed. In a recent interview on The Dan Le Batard Show, the 64-year-old coach shrugged off the criticism. "I don't hear it. I don't feel it," Spagnuolo said. "I'm not flipping through the phone looking at that stuff. So I don't really hear it."
Spagnuolo emphasized the team's unwavering confidence in Kelce, explaining, "We don't worry about Travis. There's some guys in professional sports that you know when you need them the most, they're going to show up, and that's Travis."
Travis has since turned the corner, hauling in 16 catches for 159 yards in his last two games. His resurgence included an eye-catching underhanded lateral to running back Samaje Perine during the Chiefs' 26-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints. While quarterback Patrick Mahomes joked about Kelce's unpredictable play, Spagnuolo noted that the move wasn't as surprising as it seemed.
He plays around with it in practice, and you'll see him do it all the time," Spagnuolo said. "You have to have extreme self-confidence, which Travis does, to pull something like that off
Chiefs focused on the bigger picture
As the Chiefs continue their quest for a historic Super Bowl three-peat, Spagnuolo's message is clear: the team is focused on the long game, and Kelce is an integral part of their plans. Despite the outside noise and media frenzy surrounding his personal life, Spagnuolo is confident that Kelce will be at his best when it matters most.