Travis Kelce, the star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, has responded to Ja’Marr Chase’s recent comment about quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Chase, a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, made headlines when he responded to a teammate’s praise of Mahomes by saying “Pat who?” on a podcast. Kelce, who co-hosts a podcast with his brother, said he understands Chase’s desire to defend his own quarterback, but that Chase should be prepared to back up his “bold” talk.
Kelce went on to say that he appreciates some good locker room banter, but that disrespecting Mahomes is not acceptable. He challenged Chase to talk all the trash he wants, but to make sure he can back it up on the field.
The Back-and-Forth Between AFC Rivals
The exchange between Chase and Mahomes started when Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow praised Mahomes as the best quarterback in the NFL. Chase, however, expressed his loyalty to Burrow by making the “Pat who?” comment. While some have taken it as a joke, Kelce and Mahomes have clearly taken offense.
Kelce pointed out that Mahomes is a two-time league MVP and two-time Super Bowl MVP, and that Chase’s comment was “a little bold.” He also said that Mahomes did not appreciate the comment, and responded by tweeting a picture of himself wearing his two Super Bowl rings with the declaration “That’s Who.”
The Stats Speak for Themselves
While Chase may be loyal to his own quarterback, the numbers suggest that Mahomes is among the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Last year, he led the league in Total QBR, passing yards, and touchdowns. He was named the Associated Press MVP for the second time in his career. And while Burrow had a great season himself, leading the Bengals to the playoffs and earning Pro Bowl honors, Mahomes and the Chiefs ultimately got the best of him in the AFC Championship Game.
The Chiefs and Bengals are set to face off again this season in Week 17. It remains to be seen whether Chase will be able to back up his talk on the field, or if Mahomes and the Chiefs will once again prove to be too much for the Bengals to handle. Either way, the rivalry between these two AFC powerhouses is sure to continue heating up as the season goes on.
Leave a Reply