Travis Kelce says Chiefs’ offensive woes ‘not just one guy’

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Travis Kelce showed his frustration with the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive struggles by throwing his helmet to the sideline during Monday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The star tight end revealed it again on his “New Heights” podcast with his brother Jason, saying everyone — including himself — was involved in the offensive issues.

“It’s not about one guy,” Travis Kelce said. “It's not just me playing like a dog. It's not just us not being able to run the running game. It's not just us not being on the same page wave, in terms of passes. Everyone is in this fucking thing together. Everyone, at some point, is no longer responsible.

“Every play, it's someone not doing their job, and that's me… that's everyone on the team. And whether it's preparation, whether it's having the confidence and understanding what the defense is in its coverages, what its gaps are in the running game, how we catch blitzes, how we run routes versus certain coverages. All of the above.

Sloppy offensive play has been the most consistent aspect of the season for the Chiefs (9-6), who have dropped more passes (34) than any team in the NFL. Kansas City is also tied for most offensive penalties (56) and is sixth in turnovers (26).

The Chiefs have lost three of their last four games, but have a two-game lead atop the AFC West and can clinch the division title with a victory Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Asked by Jason how the bosses could resolve the issues, Travis replied, “Everybody just has to do their job.”

The Chiefs recorded fewer than 18 yards of offense in the first quarter of their 20-14 loss to the Raiders – the lowest first-half total for an NFL team in 12 seasons. Both of Las Vegas' touchdowns were scored on defense, one on a fumble return and one on an interception.

“Throughout the season we showed in practice that we can be a powerful offense if we don't get hurt with penalties, if we don't play first and f—ing-20,” Kelce said. “Every other practice or every other series of first downs just hasn't been a well-oiled machine like we've been in the past and we just have to get everyone on the same page.

“Maybe it's just walking into the facility and talking together. Maybe it involves a few reps after practice. Maybe it involves a few extra reps, mental rehearsals. with each other in the movie theater. Whatever it is, we have to do something else, because it's pretty constant that we're not on the same page. We just have to take some ownership no longer what we do. And I'm not saying I'm out of it. I'm that's the main part of this and you gotta try to find a way to clean this shit up.”

Kelce also said he regretted throwing away his helmet on Monday. Chiefs coach Andy Reid stopped an equipment manager from returning Kelce's helmet and spoke briefly with Kelce. Reid later said Kelce played well after the incident.

“He looks out for me and I love him for that,” Kelce said. “I didn't go back out there and play well. He wanted to see the fire in me and I reacted badly. He just wanted to get the best out of me. And right now, I'm not. just not. I played my best football and I had to lock down the fucking edge and be more accountable to him. Be more accountable to my teammates. I gotta keep my fucking composure, man, because like being a leader on this team, that’s not how you change dynamics.”