One of the underlying storylines during the Kansas City Chiefs’ 23-20 win over the New York Jets in Week 4 was quarterback Aaron Rodgers making the rounds with his opponents, including Travis Kelce.
Rodgers said the conversation was best left on the sidelines during an appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show” on October 3.
But Kelce has let the cat out of the bag during the latest episode of the “New Heights” podcast on October 4.
“I just talked about a little bit of the stache work, how powerful this thing can be,” Kelce said. “And then, on top of that … I just wanted to go up to him, tell him how excited everybody was and how bummed out we were that he got banged up and needed to get surgery. Watching Hard Knocks, man, it was electric to see what Aaron Rodgers was gonna do with that team”
Chiefs’ Travis Kelce ‘Bummed Out’ Over Jets’ Aaron Rodgers’ Injury
Rodgers ruptured his Achilles just four snaps into his Jets tenure in Week 1.
“Having Aaron there was gonna be that much more entertaining for somebody that’s a fan of the game like I am. And you just hate to see the great ones go down with injury. So I just told him we were all hurting for him, and, hopefully, he gets healthy quick.”
The Jets have gone 0-3 since backup Zach Wilson was able to pull out a Week 1 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
“I think he’s fully on board with getting back,” Kelce said about Rodgers’ potential return this season. “If they can find a way to make the playoffs, I’m pretty sure he’s fully on board with getting back by then. I didn’t talk to him about that. Don’t f****** hit me, media, with that because I did not. … I think I know nothing.”
One thing Kelce does know, though, is what separates Patrick Mahomes from his peers.
Travis Kelce: Patrick Mahomes ‘One of The Best’
Mahomes threw his 200th career touchdown pass, making him the youngest to reach that mark and earning what was, perhaps, some self-serving praise from his favorite target, Kelce, who also explained what makes Mahomes different from other quarterbacks.
“Cheers to 200 more, bub,” Kelce said of the record-setting touchdown pass to backup tight end Noah Gray. “Let’s keep stacking those things up, huh? How bout it? Let’s f****** do it.
“Patty Mahomes. My guy Noah Gray, man. … Pat did an unbelievable job of not just pulling the trigger initially because I was open. Kind of saw the defender on Noah leaving Noah to come and tackle me because Pat’s eyes came to me. So, in time, that’s why Pat Mahomes is one of the best, man.
Yes way, Noah Gray 🔥
📺: #KCvsNYJ on NBC⁰📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/cLJQ8MOopx pic.twitter.com/eyHuyuZomZ
— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2023
“That play, it’s little things like that: being able to see things that I think most quarterbacks aren’t able to see. They’re just not comfortable enough to keep their eyes on a certain player. But, Pat Mahomes, 200th.”
Of course, the game was still too close for comfort for the reigning champs.
Travis Kelce Calls Out Chiefs’ Offense: ‘We Gotta Smell Blood’
“We gotta smell blood in the water, man. We gotta smell blood in the water, and then f****** keep the foot on the pedal, man.”
Kelce finished with six receptions for 60 yards but was held out of the end zone for the first time since returning to the lineup in Week 2. He lamented the offense’s stalling out and letting down a defense that is tied for the fourth-fewest points allowed per game through four weeks.
The defense has also allowed the eighth-fewest yards so far this season.
“Three catches, and then one drop,” Kelce said of his second half. “We struggled as an offense from that point on.
“That’s a good defense, man. We gotta start f****** helping these guys out … We gotta start really putting up points the way we know we’re capable of. Because, if their holding team under three scores, or under three touchdowns, I don’t see why we can’t score four to five touchdowns, man.”
“We have the firepower to be able to do it. We just gotta stop hurting ourselves, man.”
New Heights is presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment
Main Photo: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
