As they set out to wipe out last season’s woeful record from memory, the Kansas City Chiefs dropped their first preseason game to the Los Angeles Rams. Ahead of their second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chiefs coach Andy Reid and tight end Travis Kelce decided to bring some good luck their way by linking up with wrestling legend Ric Flair.
Kansas City Chiefs Bigwigs Hang Out With Wrestling Icon Ahead of Bucs Game
Flair posted a picture of himself alongside Reid and Kelce on X, with the caption:
“Hanging With The Big Boys In Tampa! It Doesn’t Get Better Than This! Andy Reid, The Nature Boy, And Travis Kelce! Go Chiefs! LFG! WOOOOO!” Flair wrote.
Away from off-field meet-ups, the Chiefs have several lingering concerns after missing the playoffs for only the second time in Reid’s 13-year tenure.
The AFC West giants’ offensive struggles were a major issue last season, and Patrick Mahomes’ return from an ACL tear is being carefully managed. Last season, the Chiefs earned a PFN Offense Impact metric score of 76.7 (No. 13 in the NFL). The team has finished outside the top 10 of the league’s metrics three consecutive seasons.
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The team’s offense is under the spotlight, and iconic tight end Travis Kelce is under pressure to boost his flagging production next season.
During an appearance on the Sports Illustrated podcast this week, legendary NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski offered Kelce some advice on how to approach the pressure of increased production.
Predicting a big year for Kelce, Gronk said, “At least 800 yards this season, about 75+ catches. That’s a very effective tight end in the NFL,” Gronkowski said. “That’s gonna be top-5 numbers. That’s all he needs to do.
“He doesn’t need to do any home run routes, you know, home-run plays, grand slam hits where the bases are loaded, and he has to come through with a miracle catch down the field.
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“He just needs to be consistent and get the first downs for Patrick and let the other guys in the offense take care of all the big plays.”
Reid addressed the Chiefs’ offensive concerns by rehiring Eric Bieniemy to replace the outgoing Matt Nagy. In Bieniemy’s previous tenure under Reid, the team finished in the top five of PFN’s Offensive Impact metrics and were No. 1 twice.
The veteran coach also added Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to boost the team’s running game and reduce pressure on Mahomes and Kelce.
The Chiefs’ preseason game against the Bucs at Raymond James Stadium will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
