With risk, Travis Kelce is one who loves to live on the edge—he's got a playbook full of bold laterals and jaw-dropping moves. But not everyone is always on board with these daring plays, especially when they could backfire big time. That is where Patrick Mahomes comes in: he is the Chiefs' leader and voice of reason. As the team prepares for high-stakes games, Mahomes shared his thoughts on Kelce's high-risk style, making it clear that sometimes, less is more.
Mahomes's Take on Kelce's Innovative Game
Chiefs Andy Reid, Players & Coordinators Press Conference - AFC Championship | JANUARY 23, 2025
During a media interaction, Patrick Mahomes was asked about Kelce to pull off some risky lateral plays. Even Josh Allen's near-disastrous lateral attempt against the Ravens came up during the conversation. Mahomes went on to laud Kelce's creativity, but with a note of caution as well
. "You don't want to take that creativity away from guys, and that's why we never said anything to Travis.". When you do it and it works, it works, and it's a good thing," he said.
But he didn't stop there. Mahomes offered a clear boundary, adding,
"If it's not there, don't do it." His comment highlighted the delicate balance between letting players trust their instincts and making sure those instincts don't lead to unnecessary mistakes.
Kelce's Risky Plays: The Good and the Gamble
Kelce loves bold plays. He famously made a lateral on third-and-22 in October 2024 against the Saints, an action that got the Eagles down to a must-have field goal. Fans loved it, and analysts like Troy Aikman approved of the tactic.
"We do it every day in practice," head coach Andy Reid said
But the truth is, plays like these are only as good as their execution. Reid himself admitted that the risks don't always pan out. Kelce thrives on these high-pressure moments, but Mahomes's comments hint at a broader strategy—taking calculated risks without jeopardizing the team's chances when the stakes are high.
Chiefs' Leadership Under Pressure
Mahomes is leading by example, striking a balance between encouraging his teammates’ creative instincts and emphasizing smarter decision-making.
For a team with great stars like Kelce and guided by the legendary Andy Reid, precise and disciplined victory is the only outcome. Mahomes's leadership will keep the team focused even as every one of them wants to take some gamble.
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