The Kansas City Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory. After a 20-10 loss at home to the Houston Texans, the reigning Super Bowl champs find themselves staring down a harsh reality: their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. And no one is feeling that weight more than Travis Kelce.
The All-Pro tight end didn’t hold back on the latest episode of his New Heights podcast, opening up about the frustration that’s been building throughout a season full of misfires. From dropped passes - including a key one of his own - to stalled drives and missed fourth-down conversions, Sunday’s loss was another chapter in what’s become a perplexing campaign for Kansas City.
“I feel like I’ve always had the answers in years past, and this year I just can’t find them,” Kelce said. “You put in all this work to, you know, be there for your guys, and I just wasn’t that.”
That’s not something you often hear from one of the most consistent and clutch players in the league. Kelce’s accountability speaks volumes - not just about his leadership, but about the intensity of this moment for the Chiefs.
This isn’t just a midseason slump. This is a team that’s used to dictating the AFC playoff picture, now suddenly needing help just to get in.
Still, Kelce made it clear he’s not going anywhere. He’s going to keep grinding, keep showing up, and keep playing like every snap matters - because for him, it does.
“It’s all that I can do,” he said. “I’m going to always show up to work and f****** give it my all. And if there’s a game to be played, I’m going to f****** make it the most important game of the world.”
But even that kind of effort might not be enough. The Chiefs no longer control their postseason fate.
Winning out is a must, but they’ll also need help from teams above them in the standings. That’s the kind of situation that can test a locker room’s resolve - but Kelce’s not backing down.
“We got four games left. I’ll go put my f****** heart on the line for these guys because they deserve that,” he said.
“Chiefs Kingdom, you guys deserve that. … We don’t necessarily control our own destiny at this point.
We need some things to happen outside of us winning all our games. So that’s all you can do.”
That kind of fire is exactly what you want from a team leader - especially one who’s been at the heart of so many Kansas City wins over the years. And while the Chiefs are clearly in a tough spot, there’s still belief in the building.
Jason Kelce, Travis’ brother and co-host - and no stranger to the emotional rollercoaster of an NFL season - offered his own perspective.
“I think sometimes the ball just doesn't fall your way,” Jason said. “And you guys have had the epitome of that this year.”
It’s hard to argue. The Chiefs have been right there in several games, but the execution just hasn’t matched the standard we’ve come to expect. Whether it’s penalties, drops, or breakdowns in protection, the little things have added up - and they’ve been costly.
Now, the focus shifts to a Week 1 rematch against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and Kelce knows exactly what’s at risk.
“We’re going to have our hands full,” he said, pointing to the need to clean up execution in critical moments - blocking, catching, and finishing drives with touchdowns.
This is where championship DNA gets tested. The Chiefs still have the core pieces - Mahomes, Kelce, Chris Jones, Andy Reid - but the margin for error is gone. Every snap from here on out is must-win football.
And if Travis Kelce’s words are any indication, he’s ready to fight for every last one of them.