‘It’s awkward’ – Footage of initial Travis Kelce reaction to key trade that elevated Patrick Mahomes resurfaces

It’s hard to imagine Travis Kelce without Patrick Mahomes.

The pair are heading to their fifth Super Bowl together but it wasn’t long ago that Kelce had some strong opinions on having to adjust to his quarterback.

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With three Super Bowls in seven seasons, Mahomes and Kelce are one of the best duos the NFL has ever seen.

Now their team, the Kansas City Chiefs, are chasing history on Sunday as they look to become the first side in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

With final preparations for their game against the Philadelphia Eagles underway, a video of Kelce’s first impressions of Mahomes has resurfaced.

The footage, from commentator Rich Eisen, dates back to 2018 when the Chiefs traded then starting QB Alex Smith and put faith in a young rocket-armed Mahomes.

In the clip, Kelce was reacting to the trade a day after it happened.

“It’s awkward, it’s awkward,” the tight-end told Eisen on his show about seeing Smith go.

“I honestly don’t know how to really accept it. My entire career, you can’t say Travis Kelce without Alex Smith. He’s been my quarterback, he’s been the guy. I owe a lot of my success to him.”

He did, though, share his excitement about playing with Mahomes, praising him for his work ethic ahead of him becoming the starting QB.

“Like I said, it’s going to be awkward going into a huddle with anybody but Alex, but I know Pat is ready for the opportunity,” he added.

“He’s taken a lot of mental reps and a lot of notes from Alex on how this thing should be run. Alex ran it to an absolute T this past season and, obviously, everyone’s excited to see what [Mahomes] can do.”

The Rich Eisen Show

The 35-year-old finished the interview by telling Eisen that he knew Mahomes was ready to take over and he has learnt everything from Smith.

Seven years later, it is safe to say it has all worked out.

Andy Reid, head coach of the Chiefs, reacted to Kelce’s 2018 thoughts on Mahomes and the trade of Smith, praising the tight end’s big heart on why he was sad to see their former QB go.

“He loved Alex Smith… But he’s got a big heart. That’s why he was broken up about Alex,” Reid told Eisen.

“Travis is emotional and he’s not afraid to show it. That’s why we love him.”

Reid and Kelce now will have their attention firmly on Sunday’s potential history-making game.