Kelce refutes comeback claims, explains Chiefs’ success

Travis Kelce has dismissed suggestions that his record-breaking performance against the Chargers was proof that he is back to his best.

The Kansas City tight end silenced his critics with a much-improved display at SoFi Stadium. He amassed 89 yards – more than in his first three games combined – and made a franchise-record 917th reception.

His performance prompted NFL analyst Tony Romo to declare ‘Kelce is back’ while his broadcast partner, the legendary Jim Nantz, insisted: ‘All the hot takes, you gotta find someone else to troll this week.’

But the Chiefs star insisted he must do more – including score a first touchdown of the season – before celebrating too much.

Speaking on the latest episode of New Heights, he told his older brother Jason:  ‘Everything outside of the building is just noise… (but) big game? When is 89 yards a big game? It was a solid game, a big game is like I score a touchdown or something.’

The Kansas City tight end silenced many of his critics with a much-improved display in LA

Kelce added: ‘I was accountable this game, I didn’t have any drops, which was what happened in Atlanta to make me feel like I had a bad game. 

‘I still didn’t have an outstanding game, there’s a lot that goes into having a great game but I did have seven catches which is, a lot of times you get the rock and I got north with it, so, it is what it is.

‘I helped my team find a way to win, and that is all that will ever matter.’

The Chiefs’ 17-10 victory over the Chargers saw the Super Bowl champions move to 4-0 – despite Kelce’s early-season struggles.

It followed narrow victories over the Ravens, the Bengals and the Falcons, with the tight end praising the Kansas City defense for laying the foundations as the Chiefs chase a three-peat.

Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice was carted off the field following a collision with Patrick Mahomes

‘There are obviously still a lot of things we’ve got to clean up on the offensive side,’ Kelce continued.

‘Our defense is the best in the league right now, I just love Spags (defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) and everyone on that defensive side that’s playing their tail off.

‘Our defense just keeps coming up big, it happened in the Falcons game, it happened in the Bengals game, and it happened in this game.’

Kelce, who watched as wide receiver Rashee Rice was carted off the field following a collision with Patrick Mahomes, added: ‘On the offensive side of the ball, we’ve got to get rolling, man. And it’s not going to be any easier seeing Rashee go down.’