Kansas City Chiefs are lucky that Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have such a good working relationship on the field, with both players knowing exactly where they stand in terms of their positions. Mahomes may take the glory after leading the NFL franchise to a Super Bowl on three occasions, but Kelce isn’t planning on trying out as a QB any time soon – and for good reason too.
Mahomes is widely recognized as one of the top passers in the sport, especially after his fourth-quarter display and overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
The 28-year-old often seeks out his tight end Kelce on the offensive drives, with the pair recently passing 50 all-time touchdown combinations during the 2023 regular season.
But if the roles were reversed, Mahomes isn’t convinced his teammate Kelce, 34, would be an effective quarterback after witnessing his efforts in practice.
When asked if Kelce could be a quarterback, the three-time Super Bowl winner confidently answered: “No”, prompting fits of laughter from Mahomes, Kelce and his brother Jason as they appeared on the brothers’ ‘New Heights’ podcast.
Travis then fist-bumped his team-mate and accepted his destiny is not to be a quarterback: “You’re not the only one [who thinks that]!”
Mahomes then elaborates, adding that Kelce’s attention span would make it difficult for him: “I think he has the physical talent to be a quarterback but, like you said, there’s some times where you just black out…”
Kelce interjects and appears to agree: “No patience man, no patience.”
Mahomes continues: “If you’ve ever played Travis at ping pong, you’ll know why he can’t play quarterback”, with his colleague adding: “I’ve a pitiful throwing arm unfortunately, I couldn’t even look coach [Andy] Reid in the eyes.”
There is nothing to suggest Andy Reid would even contemplate putting Kelce in if Mahomes was ever incapacitated – that’s what backup quarterbacks are paid for. But there certainly would be some intrigue to see just how many interceptions he would be susceptible to if it did happen during a game.
