Travis Kelce Praises Chiefs’ Resilience Ahead of AFC Championship: ‘You saw the struggles, you saw the growth’
Kansas City is just days away from securing their sixth consecutive appearance in the AFC Championship Game, a feat marked by resilience and growth. Travis Kelce, who has been part of each journey, believes that this latest Chiefs team stands out for their unwavering determination and chemistry.
Unlike their dominant past years, when they ranked first in NFL scoring and yardage multiple times during Patrick Mahomes’ initial five years as a starter, the Chiefs finished the 2023 regular season 15th in points and ninth in yards. They faced challenges, including leading the league with 44 dropped passes, losing a six-game winning streak to the Raiders, and ending a successful sixteen-game stretch against the Broncos. This resulted in their worst seeding (third) in the Mahomes era.
Sunday’s conference title game will be the first of their six consecutive appearances to take place away from Arrowhead Stadium. Nevertheless, the Chiefs find themselves just one game away from the Super Bowl, bolstered by one of their strongest defenses in years and an offense that seems to shine brightest in the postseason.
Resilience has become a defining trait of both the team and Kelce individually. The 34-year-old tight end earned his ninth Pro Bowl selection and recorded over 90 receptions for the sixth consecutive year. While it was still an impressive season, it fell slightly short of his usual high standards.
Kelce’s numbers dipped, and he missed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time since 2015, partly due to missing two games. His average receiving yards per reception also dropped below 12.2 for the first time in his career, and he contributed to the team’s drop issues with seven of his own. During a ten-game stretch, he caught only one touchdown.
However, like the rest of the offense, Kelce has experienced a resurgence of late. He played a crucial role in the team’s victories, catching touchdowns and breaking NFL records with Patrick Mahomes. Kelce’s determination and leadership have been instrumental in guiding the team through challenging times.
The next challenge on the horizon is defeating the Baltimore Ravens to secure a fourth Super Bowl berth since 2018, a goal that Kelce is more determined to achieve than ever before.
“I’m not dwelling on the accomplishments of the past,” Kelce emphasized. “I’m focused on this upcoming game on Sunday, and I want it more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.”
