Kansas City Chiefs stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes led their teammates onto the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to warm up for their highly anticipated matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
Kelce, sporting a white No. 87 jersey, turned heads, not just for his presence but for his new look, which had Falcons officials on edge.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris expressed his concerns during an interview on Saturday, praising the duo while acknowledging their unpredictability. “He’s a freak,” Morris said of Kelce.
“You can’t necessarily go draw his routes up on a card. I’m not even sure what his routes are. I’m not sure if Patrick knows. I’m not sure if he knows. But they work, and they are very productive at the things they do. They are very unique.”
Kelce’s appearance was noticeably different, fueling speculation among Falcons personnel. “Why did he change it completely in this game?” one Falcons staffer questioned. This minor detail, combined with Kelce’s and Mahomes’ already intimidating reputations, has raised the level of caution in Atlanta’s preparation.
Despite their success, both Mahomes and Kelce have yet to hit their usual high gear this season. Mahomes has thrown for 442 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions in two games, while Kelce has had a slow start, registering just four catches for 39 receiving yards. The Chiefs, however, remain undefeated after facing two potential AFC contenders, underscoring their resilience.
Kelce’s quieter-than-expected performances have been a topic of conversation, especially with pop icon Taylor Swift in attendance for the Chiefs’ first two games. The relationship between Swift and Kelce has brought even more attention to the tight end, elevating his profile beyond the football field. But on the field, Kelce has been less active than usual. Against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, he caught three passes for 34 yards, and in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he managed just one reception for 5 yards. It marked his lowest performance since the 2018 season opener, where he also had fewer than three receptions.
With the Chiefs set to take on the Falcons, all eyes are on Mahomes and Kelce as they look to rediscover their rhythm and keep the Chiefs’ undefeated season intact.
