Chiefs' Kelce: Mahomes' injury, no playoffs felt 'like it wasn't real'
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said it was almost hard to believe what was happening in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, as Kansas City was eliminated from playoff contention and quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending knee injury.
"For the season to be going like it did up to that point, and we're on our last quest to try and keep our playoff hopes alive there in the fourth quarter, on a freakish play to see (No.) 15 go down like that. ... Man, it was almost like it wasn't real," Kelce said Wednesday on the "New Heights" podcast.
"Shit just sucks, man, for a guy that puts in that much and puts his body on the line week in, week out, and makes this football world - he makes the best of it by how hard he works. And it just sucks, man."
Mahomes, 30, reportedly underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL on Monday. He will begin rehab immediately, but it's unclear if he'll be ready for the start of the 2026 season.
This marks the first time Mahomes won't suit up in a playoff game since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2017, and just the second time Kelce won't be in the postseason after missing the playoffs in 2014.
Kansas City started the year 5-3 but lost five of its last six games and is 6-8. The Chiefs' offense has been steady, ranking inside the top 10 in EPA/play and success rate, but struggled situationally. Mahomes' 65.2 passer rating on third down this season ranks 28th among 32 qualifying quarterbacks, according to TruMedia. His passer rating on third down from 2018 to 2024 averaged 110.6, making this an outlier season.
The Chiefs' run game and defense also contributed to their disappointing campaign. They sit 28th in explosive run rate, according to ESPN's Sam Hoppen, and no running back on the roster has a run of 35-plus yards this year. The defense is 17th in success rate and 26th in EPA/play allowed on third down, per Ben Baldwin's database.
"This year, numberswise, we're up there with some of the top offenses, depending on what category you're looking at, but just critical moments, man," Kelce added.
"All the games we've lost were one-score games. We were in it right there to the end. ... Things, when you need them the most, just weren't falling for us, and you've got to go back to the drawing board, and we got three games left."
Kansas City faces the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.