Travis Kelce David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a rough season for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes still has faith in him heading into the playoffs.

After signing a new contract to become the highest-paid tight end in the league this offseason, Travis Kelce certainly has not played like up to that contract this season.

Kelce finished the regular season with the worst statistics of his entire career as a starter nearly across the board. Kelce had fewer yards per game, fewer yards per catch, fewer yards after catch, a shorter average depth of target, and fewer touchdowns this season than he has at any point in his career previously.

But as the Kansas City Chiefs begin their playoff run, Patrick Mahomes is still expecting big things from him.

During his press conference this week, Mahomes did not hold back his true thoughts on Kelce as he made it clear that he expects the star tight end to elevate his play for the playoffs, pointing out that he has done that in the past.

“I think the greats step up in the playoffs,” Mahomes said according to Pro Football Talk. “It’s just higher intensity and the best players and the best leaders step up and make the best plays. He’s done that and I expect the same from him going into this playoffs.”

People were interested in these podcasts
Play Episode
69min
The Play-By-Play
Bill Belichick/Jordon Hudson discussion, sports media turns on NFL insiders
How does the media talk about Bill Belichick's and Jordon Hudson's relationship? People taking NFL insiders to task on how they report free agency news. Who are some of the top stars of online sports media? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:41: NFL insiders criticized for how they report free agent news-18:12: Kyle Hamilton of the Week-20:52: Breakout Stars of Online Sports Media Draft-43:07: How to discuss Bill Belichick’s and Jordon Hudson’s relationship?-58:11: Basketball sports betting being terrible contributing to lack of interest in the NBA-1:03:16: Women’s NCAA Tournament without Caitlin ClarkYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Drew Brees on ESPN, Dave Portnoy feuds with Zach Bryan, Chris Vannini joins us
Drew Brees makes a surprise appearance on "Monday Night Countdown." Dave Portnoy drops multiple diss tracks on Country music star Zach Bryan. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, as The Athletic's Chris Vannini joins us on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:54: Drew Brees shows up on “Monday Night Countdown”-20:31: Chris Vannini comes on The Play-By-Play-58:46: Dave Portnoy vs. Zach Bryan-1:04:26: Sports podcast monologuesYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract, TGL talk, what replaces 'Around the Horn?'
Stephen A. Smith and ESPN finally have a deal and the TGL is entering the playoffs in their first season. Awful Announcing's Brandon Contes and Drew Lerner join Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen to discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:01: Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract with Brandon Contes-32:23 TGL entering playoffs with Drew Lerner-50:33: What should replace “Around the Horn?”-58:33 Giving up X posting for Lent updateYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
ESPN fires RG3 and Sam Ponder, Ariel Helwani partners with Yahoo, Mina Kimes vs. Clay Travis
On the first episode of The Play-By-Play, Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss ESPN firing Robert Griffin III and Sam Ponder, Ariel Helwani announcing that he's partnering with Yahoo Sports and the social media feud between ESPN's Mina Kimes and Clay Travis.Time Stamps:-:06: Welcome to The Play-By-Play!-3:03: Podcasting-18:49: Ariel Helwani partners with Yahoo Sports-33:51: Mina Kimes vs. Clay Travis-47:00: WWE superstar Sheamus is College GameDay's first celebrity guest picker of the season.-50:49: Stephen A. Smith interviews Tom Brady at Fanatics FestYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chiefs begin their postseason run with a game against the Houston Texans in the divisional round this weekend.

We’ll have to see whether or not Kelce can perform better in that game than he has this season previously.