Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was aware that he wouldn’t participate in the Sunday regular-season finale against the Chargers. However, during the lead-up to the game at SoFi Stadium, Mahomes advocated for teammate Travis Kelce to see some playing time. Kelce was just 16 yards away from reaching 1,000 yards for the season, a milestone he narrowly missed as he chose to rest, foregoing the opportunity for an eighth consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season. Nonetheless, Kelce’s seven consecutive seasons with 1,000 or more receiving yards set an NFL record, surpassing any other tight end in league history, with four more than the previous record holder, Greg Olsen, who had three.
Speaking on KCSP (610 AM) on Tuesday, Mahomes shared his efforts to persuade Kelce to take the field during the Chiefs’ 13-12 victory over the Chargers. Mahomes revealed, “I was trying to force him to play. I was trying to make him go out there because I knew he was going to try not to play and he wanted it to be about the team and not about him.” Despite Mahomes’ encouragement, Kelce declined, emphasizing his desire to prioritize his health and rest for the playoffs over personal achievements.
Mahomes acknowledged Kelce’s selfless decision, highlighting the tight end’s team-first mentality. Despite having devised plays to help Kelce reach 1,000 yards while minimizing the risk of injury, Mahomes respected Kelce’s commitment to the team’s collective goals. Reflecting on Kelce’s leadership, Mahomes expressed pride in his teammate, stating, “I was proud of him. Obviously, I would have been happier if he got it, but at the same time, I know that’s not who he is. I’m glad that he’s the leader on our team like that.”