Chiefs’ Travis Kelce downplays talk of becoming ‘Playoff Trav’ in the postseason
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce would have been a first-ballot choice for the Pro Football Hall of Fame if you looked only at his regular-season statistics.
But factor in what he’s done in the postseason, and it’s clear that Kelce is one of the best players in NFL history.
Kelce moved past 2,000 career receiving yards in the postseason during the Chiefs’ 23-14 win over the Houston Texans in Saturday’s AFC Divisional playoff game. Kelce also set a record with his seventh straight postseason contest with 100 or more receiving yards.
Following Saturday’s game, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was asked if he sees a difference in Kelce when the postseason begins.
“Yeah, it’s Playoff Trav (Travis Kelce). I mean, he just, he’s a leader, man,” Mahomes said. “This is what he lives for is playing in these moments, having the chance to make big-time plays and he goes out there and does that and it seems like he does it every single playoff game.”
But on the latest episode of the New Heights podcast, Kelce downplayed talk about stepping up his game in the playoffs.
“I wish it was just a switch that I could say it’s time to go and I’m ready to play. That’s not what it is,” Kelce said. “Throughout the year, we try and play our best every single week. Every single play I’m trying my hardest. I’m doing everything I can to help my team win throughout the week and over the course of a season. I think that we have a method and a formula from coach (Andy) Reid that we just gradually get better as the season goes on, and when we go into the playoffs, we’re playing our best football.
“At least, that’s the effort, that’s the focus, that’s the determined mind-set, to be able to play your best at the end of the season. It’s everybody on the same page, everybody doing their part. And when the ball is in our hands, we make plays when we’re called upon.”
Kelce then discussed his big game against the Texans. He had seven catches, 117 receiving yards and a touchdown. He also had a 49-yard catch and run that set up the Chiefs’ first touchdown.
“I was fortunate that I had seven to eight chances to make a play,” Kelce said. “I failed on one, and had a ball slapped out of my hand early on. And from that point on, I felt like I could get a rhythm and get going here. But at the same time, it’s just football, baby.
“There’s never a time where I’m holding back and I gotta make sure I keep some things in my back pocket. It’s not that. I’m always competing my ass off, man.”
This story was originally published January 23, 2025 at 10:15 AM.
