Podcast: Travis Kelce reveals the truth about friendship with Patrick Mahomes

Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce was kind enough to stop by the Arrowhead Addict Podcast, and you want to hear what he said about Patrick Mahomes.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was already an established NFL superstar back when a fresh-faced quarterback named Patrick Mahomes broke into the league as a first-round NFL Draft choice way back in 2017.

Needless to say, given KC’s investment in Mahomes, it was imperative the two formed a close working relationship.

There isn’t much that needs to be said about how that on-field relationship has flourished. The two have helped turn Kansas City into an NFL powerhouse, winning a Super Bowl and setting up the franchise to potential dynasty status.

But what about both Kelce and Mahomes’ friendship and relationship off the field? Is that chemistry just as important?

Kelce thinks so.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce chats up Patrick Mahomes on Arrowhead Addict Podcast

Kelce was more than kind to stop by and speak with Matt Verderame of the Arrowhead Addict Podcast (on his 33rd birthday, no less), and it’s no surprise the conversation turned to just how both the perennial All-Pro tight end gets along with the star signal-caller.

While the two have flourished on the field, they’ve also extended their partnership off of it as well.

“It’s been an absolute blast to get to know Pat, his family and all of his friends since he’s been in the league,” Kelce told Verderame. “I can honestly say I’m close enough to where Pat is family now. I know everyone in his life, and he knows everyone in mine.”

The two do spend a lot of time interacting off the gridiron, whether it’s attending other sporting events or getting involved in the community.

“It’s been a cool relationship to build, both professionally on the field as well as off the field,” Kelce added.

Kelce also stressed how having a solid relationship with his star quarterback off the field has helped their on-field relationship flourish, and four more Pro Bowl nods and two first-team All-Pro selections have come the tight end’s way since Mahomes was named the Chiefs’ starter back in 2018.

Travis Kelce offers thoughts on the best tight end in the NFL

Bringing up Kelce in any league-wide discussion is almost always going to generate chatter about who the best tight end in the NFL is, either at the current moment or in the all-time ranks.

It’s not hard to compare Kelce’s accolades to those of former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers great, Rob Gronkowski, and Kelce has already put himself in the pantheon of the NFL’s top tight ends in league history with plenty of years remaining on his illustrious career.

But, does Kelce feel as if he’s the best to ever do it?

Related Story: Travis Kelce embodies rare combination of dominance and longevity

After recently passing Gronk in all-time receiving yards for a tight end, Kelce nevertheless remained coy about claiming an all-time-best declaration.

“Without telling anybody that I’m the best, I do feel like I bring something to the table that people haven’t seen in the NFL,” Kelce responded. “And I’ll just leave it at that. I don’t like to brag or talk about who’s better here or there because it’s such a team sport that it’s hard to individually point out people’s success or how good somebody is or compare somebody to another player.”

Based on Kelce’s track record, though, it might be hard to view him as anything but the best tight end to ever do it when he eventually decides to hang up his cleats.

Be sure to check out the entirety of Kelce’s interview with Verderame right here.