Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are firing on all cylinders for another high-stakes season, and expectations remain sky-high.
With a revenge tour on the horizon after a bitter Super Bowl 59 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Mahomes is focused on the key pieces needed to guide the team back to the top.
Patrick Mahomes Confident Travis Kelce Can Silence Critics This Season
At the top of that list is tight end Travis Kelce, who’s heading into his 13th NFL season amid growing doubt about his performance. Kelce finished last year with just 823 receiving yards and three touchdowns, both career lows outside his rookie year.
Critics have questioned whether the future Hall of Famer still has enough left to make a difference. But Mahomes, who has formed one of the league’s most dominant duos with Kelce since 2018, made it clear he’s not concerned.
“I expect Travis to be Travis,” Mahomes said. “Obviously, the play on the field is going to be high. He’s going to go out there with the mentality that we’re trying to win the Super Bowl this year.”
Mahomes emphasized Kelce’s value beyond just production. While his on-field numbers dipped, the quarterback sees an irreplaceable leadership presence.
“More than anything, it’s the leadership that he brings to the building every single day, how he leads by example,” Mahomes added. “It’s a big impact on our football team.”
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes on Travis Kelce: “I expect Travis to be Travis. . . How he leads by example and leads vocally, it’s a big impact for our football team.”
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) June 18, 2025
As the 2025 season approaches, Kelce has taken steps to reassert his dominance. He’s reportedly dropped weight and showed up to Kansas City’s minicamp looking leaner, aiming to get back to the form fans and teammates expect. Still, skepticism remains across the league until Kelce proves himself again on the field.
The Chiefs’ redemption journey begins on Sept. 5, when they face the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil. Mahomes and Kelce, entering their ninth season together, remain central to Kansas City’s identity and Super Bowl hopes. Despite the outside doubt, Mahomes stands firm in his belief that Kelce will meet the moment.
Off the field, both players continue to show why they are the faces of the franchise. During Kansas City’s mandatory minicamp from June 17 to 19, the team welcomed two Make-A-Wish children, Diego and Jacob, to practice. Mahomes and Kelce were hands-on, sharing memorabilia and photos with the kids.
This week’s gestures followed another community event where Turbo, a young fan with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, toured the team’s facilities and practice field.
As the 2025 campaign gets closer, Mahomes isn’t just focused on stats or critics. His expectations for Kelce are clear, rooted in trust, leadership and a shared drive for another championship run.