Pure happiness! Travis Kelce reacts to making NFL history during victory over Broncos

It just felt good to be out there with my with my dogs, man. It’s um we got a really fun team this year. A lot of guys that uh that care about each other and they’ll go out there and uh and bust their tail for each other every single day. And um it’s not necessarily about them or what happened last year.

 It’s about what we got going on this year. And we’re excited for that, that guy. And we love blocking for him. And we know it’s a it’s a touchdown waiting to happen on every single carry. And you know, that’s exciting. That’s uh that’s something we can get behind. And um we’re just proud that he’s uh he’s showing out and he’s showing up for uh for the kingdom right now.

 Travis, what you think of Patrick’s touchdown there at the beginning there?  You know, it’s uh he was saying it all week, man. He just needed that first hit and he’s going to go out there and beat Patty Mahomes, man. And you can see that five starting to get comfortable again. And uh I think next week you’ll even see him take his game to another level.

 So,  did you think you can get in the end zone on that long catch and run?  Of course I did, huh? [laughter] Of course I did. I had guys blocking for me downfield, man. And uh you know, it’s a beautiful thing when you got the the calvaryary out in front, man. Just got to find a way to get in the end zone. Excuse my l  uh the lane hurt his shoulder.

 We’re just going to see where that goes from here. And then uh McDonald Cooper um McDonald, he um hurt his knee, so we’ve got to just see here in the next day or so where that leads us with both those guys. Um appreciate the fans and u the support that we had today. I mean, they they were lined up out there at gate five at five o’clock yesterday and um knowing that it was going to be a hot one today.

 So, I hope they all survive. Um, they but the support was uh support was unbelievable. Proud of our guys and the job that they did. Uh, a lot of good individual efforts out there starting with the guys up front on both sides of the ball and we were able to get our young guys involved in the game and I was proud of how they handled themselves there.

 Um, at the same time, we’re coming out of this thing knowing we got a ton of room to improve. um you know all the way all the way around in all phases. But uh defensively Delane’s interception there, the one play that he had um he did a nice job with that. I mean that was a great job. Great way to start the game and um and and try at the same time try to return it.

 Uh Chris um again had a had a nice day with pressure as did the rest of the defensive line. um Sneeed and Tranquil uh loaded up with seven tackles there. So they um they they did well and then offensively it was great to get Patrick back in back in the mix there and um you know knock a little rust off. He hadn’t had a chance to play and and uh see things coming at him quite that fast.

 So um but I was proud of him and how he handled it and then he ran the ball a couple different times and uh you know you got your hat goes off to the guy. He’s phenomenal. And then Walker, uh, what a day he had, um, with 173 yards that that fourth down and won was, uh, was a thing of beauty. So, um, and then Kel, um, you know, he dusted it off and, right, three for 71 yards.

 That’s pretty good for an old man that people look crossed that. Um so overall uh and then third downs on both sides of the ball were good and and um and then Arza did a a nice job with the punt game field position was a was a good was in our in our favor there and then Bud did a nice job likewise.

 So um all the way around uh good performance knowing that there’s 16 games left. So, this is uh just a beginning of um with with it being the first game and uh you know, we’ve got a a short week here that we got to prep for a real good football team. But again, that football team is well coached. Sean does a great job with them and uh uh they’ll they’ll we’ll see them again.

 I mean, they’re they’re a good football team and they’ll they’ll continue to do well, I’m sure. So, uh but with that, we time’s yours. situation.  Yeah, listen, I thought it was important that uh we got grounded in there and and um you know, get the young guys settle down, get Patrick back in the flow um of of the game and the speed and all that.

I mean, he’s standing right there seeing it and he had a couple RPOS’s in there, so it um I thought that was important. Yeah.  [clears throat]  time to get back.  Yeah, I think any coach would probably tell you that, right, that if the run game’s going, it opens up things for you, whether it’s in your play action game or just in general.

 So, uh, that was a positive for sure.  Did you want to see Patrick take off early in the game? Just kind of get himself in the middle.  V, you know, you get to once you put him in the game, he’s going to play and you better be confident in that. And if it meant running, you know, the only thing I’d ask is that you get down and he he did that for the most part.

 You think it was good for him, too? Scott, [clears throat] you know, kind of  Yeah, he kept saying he wanted to get that one hit and he would be right back in the flow. I’m not sure I agreed with that part, but I I I kind of how it worked.  What enabled him to kind of get more of a rhythm after I think it’s two for 12 to start the game? What needed to happen to get more?  Yeah, just uh probably some of the plays that we gave him.

 you know, I’ll take the blame on that one. He, you [clears throat] know, we got we mixed some things up there uh after the two and 12. So,  you guys practice so surprise you about what you saw?  Well, I don’t want to take anything away from it because he did. He was he he was he did a really nice job. So, um and you never know going in how many times you’re going to give him the ball.

I mean, that’s not a calculated thing. So, uh that you can you can do. You got to be making yards. And for [clears throat] him to play the way he did, I thought was spectacular. Um it was something you hope for. And you got to see it where he was the the main guy there. So, and did a great job with it.

 I’ll also say that our EMTT did a nice job too when he had an opportunity to get in there. Both those guys are contact balance is ridiculous and so uh they got a lot of yards after after contact and that’s that’s a special thing to have there. Yeah.  Last week said on his way out he didn’t want to anymore and now he don’t have to.

 Um just what did that touchdown and his energy kind of do for the rest of you know the offense to get out there and do that right away?  Yeah, I think the guys are fired up uh to see him. the offensive line ticks, they they have that’s a different world, that group. They, you know, they live in a different world there. And so they, but their goal was to keep him clean and to make sure the runner got over 100 yards and and uh they did they accomplish both things and so they they take a lot of pride in that.

You mentioned Emo and on defense on how encouraging is it that they’re right away.  Yeah. So I mentioned this during training camp that the young guys were going to have to contribute and they we’ve got a lot of them out there. Benson’s another one right on the offensive side. So um that that had to step up against an allp pro player.

 So it’s a you’ve gota those guys throughout they got to continue to grow. as we go on with this season and and keep stacking performances and um so important though to answer your question. Yeah, very important and that we get production out of those guys.  You mentioned top young players coming through having nice performance tonight.

Can you speak a little bit more on what you saw on those from those fencing up left tackle flipping sides was even a guy like Walker coming in as a newcomer or Mason Thomas as a rookie what they gave you guys.  Yeah, sure. Um they they all gave us something different obviously by position but uh Benson obviously his protection and the run blocking part of it looked like his assignments were good. R.

 Mason I thought was bringing it like uh he gives you that speed off the edge and um I saw that and the pressure had a deflected ball by Peter. You know, it’s um I delaying the interception. Who else am I missing there? Um the runner uh EMTT obviously what we talked about with the contact balance and seeing things and hitting it fast and um yeah so Yep.

 Yeah. Yeah. For the touchdown you’re saying.  Yeah. So they’re a good football team and you know they’re going to score. they’re going to potentially score points. And so, uh, we’ve taken that fourth down thing pretty serious the last few years. And, um, we thought we had something that we could run that was viable and we would have a shot at.

 I, you know, I we we loaded up with a lot of big people and, um, it was one of those man-on-man things. So, including our nose guard, Tonga was right in the mix of all that. defensive performance.  I know it was unbelievable.  Specs had a great a great uh game plan uh for this crew and um I just when you’re when you’re playing that kind of defense, you can do things on offense and take chances.

 And um uh I thought they bared down. I thought the defensive line was tremendous and the run and the pass game. Their transition from uh the run stopping to transitioning into the play action game I thought was great. Um our secondary flying around. It’s great to get 38 back in the mix. You know, Sneeed was he might have been the happiest guy out there to have an opportunity to get back on the field and and play.

 And uh he’s going to be real sore tomorrow. And um but he he um he sure did a nice job as they all did. I mean um they all listen  you can write write the whole thing.  Coach, you and multiple players last season mentioned energy and maybe a lack of it to start games. Looked like you guys were juiced tonight.

 Did it feel different? And if so, what do you attribute that to?  Well, you can’t help it. I mean, it’s Monday night and you have these fans here that were unbelievable men. I mean, you feel that energy and um it’s a long season. We got to keep building. Um so, you guys got to hurry. There’s a party over here.  Hey, Andy, I I got a couple things.

 One, can you tell us about that touchdown um at the goal line when you feel in the game Walker? And then secondly, I want to ask about a big picture question.  Chris Burman sent me that play. So that’s a 1936er right there. So um it was a honestly but it uh um it was a great play.  You know they executed it well.

 Where’d you put it in?  Uh we we did it training camp. I mean yeah we’ve run it we’ve run it before.  Just not that smooth. Last thing, uh, from a big picture perspective, when you think about the weight of starting the season with Patrick coming back, the new people being incorporated, the defense, Kenneth Walker, how significant is it to win the way you did tonight just for everything you want to build on?  Yeah, listen, it Yeah.

 No, it’s a it’s a positive thing. It’s a great way to start. You know, the the thing you have is you’ve got a lot of games going here, but for the guys to see it put together like that without having a full game in training camp, but working hard and going through the training camp that we had, which was tough, and and then coming out and bearing down and seeing some production, uh, is great.

 Now, and then knowing that there’s more, that we can do more and and we can be better. Uh we just have to clean a couple things up there.  Thanks, coach.  Good to you.  Yeah, I mean first off starts with the defense, you know, getting the stop, getting the ball uh to us with the interception their territory and then um getting the run game going, getting into the red zone and then finishing it.

 You know, we I think last year we got some of those penalties in the red zone. We we weren’t able to finish drives and so um to be able to do that against that defense who was I think number one in the red zone last year, um it was big. And for me running, like I said, I wasn’t going to and and going for the end zone, it kind of gave me that confidence that I can go out there and be myself.

 And did you start feeling like yourself right away? I mean, I know you would have a rhythm.  Yeah, I think I I feel like I was moving around fast. I think I was a little quick with my reads. Um I think there were some people that if I would have just got to the second and third read, they were open, especially earlier in the game.

 Um, but I try to force a few things early and then I had a few overstrides which I mean it’s kind of part of it but I got to get back to being balanced where I can make those throws and when I overstride it goes a little bit lower. So you can see that some throughout the game.  What if anything were you most nervous about coming into  Yeah.

 I mean if I was going to say anything it was it was probably just get hit on it but like I just wanted to play. Like it I had done so much rehab and so much work to kind of put myself in this position. Um I just wanted to get out there and play. like this is what you do it for. And I was able to play and go out there and and my guys around me kind of helped me.

 So whenever I wasn’t I feel like I didn’t play my best football, we still were able to go out there and beat a really good football team um um pretty well and it’s because the guys around me stepped up and knew that they’re going to have to help me as I as I kind of get back into the rhythm of things  on that on that scramble touchdown early in the game.

 Was that the moment that you could say, “Okay,  took the hit, dove into the end zone, made the play.” Yeah, for sure. I mean, physically, I think that’s the moment. Uh, I still got to keep working to get I want to get some of these passes down the field a little bit more. Um, I think that that’ll help me out mentally and kind of getting back in the rhythm of things.

 Um, but that was definitely the moment physically to kind of say that I like all this work’s paid off. Like I didn’t feel anything. Um, and so, um, it’s it’s still a process. I got to still keep getting better and better and stay on top of it. Um, but this is obviously a great first week.  What did you see on that play as it was developing? Obviously, you dropped back and take off.

 How did it break down for you?  Yeah, we we wanted to run that play kind of closer in. Um and so it was a play kind of designed for Travis and um I think he ended up popping like right when I I kind of ran out of there, but um they dropped back and they had a lot of attention on Trav and then on Rashi and so it just opened up perfectly down the middle of the field for me.

 Um and then I was able to run. I was like when I took off running, I was expecting to be down kind of short, but I wanted to get it in a more manageable third down. And you get to the goal line and it’s just just get in there somehow. And so I was able to dive into the end zone and uh get the touchdown. the way you guys  crazy ringtone.

 Yeah, I mean it was big. I mean obviously Mansour started off with the interception and then um RM had a had a sack. Um I thought Peter Woods had a great game and and it showed that that progress is going to help us in the long run. you know, they’re still learning like they’re going to get better and better and for them to make an impact then and then I thought Khil I thought so much was made about pass the pass blocking and because he was going up against a great defensive line, but I mean I’ve I’ve seen him run block and

it’s like you have to set the tone that way. Um and if they’re not going to stop the run, then we’re going to keep doing it and so um he’ll keep getting better and better. I mean obviously hopefully we’re getting Josh back but to have another tackle that can step in and play and and play at a high level.

 You want as many of those guys as you can.  After obviously training camp with Kenneth Walker by himself today, were you surprised at his output?  No, I mean I told y’all literally like first press conference. They y’all were asking what’s the difference of our offense and I said K9 like it’s just that simple.

 It’s um the way he’s able to run the ball, catch the ball. I threw one a little hot to him there on that read read. That was probably going to be a big play, but it’s it’s just a special ability to run the ball tough between the tackles and then when he does bounce it, he has the speed to go all the way. Um, and so we’ll utilize him.

 I thought Emma did a great job when he came in running the ball as well. And that and that that speaks to the run the running backs, the coaches, and the offensive line. Um, the offensive line took it as a challenge to go up against this defense and and set the tone and they did that. And so even though the pass game didn’t click the way we wanted it to click early, especially um it set the tone for the entire game of how we were going to move the ball down the field.

Yeah, it’s he has the speed. So, like the moment he got the edge, I’ve seen it. I’ve seen it in practice. I’ve saw it all last year in the playoffs. Once he gets the edge, he’s gone. And that and that’s what I’m talking about. Be able to run physical like that, but to still be able to bounce it whenever it’s necessary and get gone.

 It’s it’s a special ability and we’re going to utilize it. And um I’ve kind of got a good feel for Coach Reed now. And I think he’s kind of I knew that if I threw the ball and we got close to a first down, he was going to go for it. He just has that mentality to to do that. And so, um, right when I threw it, he had the play ready to call.

 Um, it was fourth and one. We trust our offensive line. We trust in Kenneth to get that first down. And he went out there and did it.  Couple quick things. Patrick Andy said the play when was on the field with you.  Yeah. You should have seen the tape on it. [laughter]  What’s that called?  It was called Heisman.

 Heisman. It was, I think, I can’t remember who exactly ran it because it was in black and white and it was very scratchy when we were watching it. Um, but it was a play that that coach Heg brought to us and I’m sure coach Reed had his has imprint as well and we designed it and I just knew it was going to score and and hopefully that can set some stuff up.

 You know, Justin’s got a lot of ability to running the ball and throwing the ball as well and so hopefully that’s just the first iteration of it.  Another thing on all the the you know reporting is eligible that’s a complicated thing. fourth down. Did I hear you go tell the ref?  Well, we we brought in a tackle.

 Uh we brought in extra two outro alignment and KT. Um and then we but we made eligible a guy that was already on the field and so the ref just assumed that we were the guy coming in was going to be which is I mean that’s what we were doing earlier in the game, but just that play was a little bit different.

 And so I just had to make sure that he knew that the uh Jaylen Moore was the eligible guy just so we were legal as far as formation wise. And so, um, that stuff, I mean, having the extra week obviously and then we detailing it. I mean, EV detailing it, detailing it, making sure that I’m on top of those little details. A big play happens and you don’t have a penalty because of it because we’ve detailed it all throughout the week.

 Last,  what’s next? I mean, obviously tonight was fantastic offensively, but what’s next as far as getting the wide receivers involved? She ris a couple  um where she had two I think but but but uh the uh the I got to be better. I mean at the end of the day I have to be better and it’s uh there was times those guys were open and I I don’t want to I was a little bit quick with my reads and getting the ball out of my hand and I have to have the trust in the offensive line. I have to have the trust in myself

that I can stand taking the hits. Um but it’s a good start as far as just being out there and playing. But those guys were getting open and I think y’all will see on tape if I like just trusted in it and stay in the pocket and make those throws I can I can hit some of those guys down the field and so um I think that will just come with more trust in me and trusting the knee and then trusting the offensive line to make those protections.

 Last one I’m sure you guys didn’t lack for confidence but I wonder before seeing the work the significance of this win effort.  Yeah, I mean that’s a good football team. I mean, they they win the national championship for a reason. They have a lot of great great players and they’re coached very well.

 And so, for us to go out there and win like that, obviously that’s that’s the first step. It shows that all that work in training camp is it paid off, but how can we be better? I mean, like we were just talking about like I got to be better in the pass game. If we’re going to run the ball like this, defenses are going to come up and try to force us to pass it.

 Um, and I have to be able to showcase that we can do that. And so, um, that that’ll come and that that’s why we’re just in the very beginning of the season and we had a great game, but how are we going to build on it and how are we going to get better? Um, that starts with me and it kind of feeds throughout the entire team.

 Is there some sense this is a reboot or is that too strong a term this early? I mean, how would you characterize that?  No, I mean I mean this is just the start of it. I mean, we’re still so early in the season. Obviously, it’s a great win, but it’s just week one and um we’ll be a different team.

 We have a lot of different players, a lot of young players, a lot of guys that we brought in. Um, but at the same time, our principles is to be aggressive and to go out there and attack. And if that’s running the ball, if that’s play action, throwing the ball down the field, we have to be able to do it all if we want to get to where we want to get to.

 Thanks, [clears throat]  Yeah. Uh we ran the play a few times and um I knew they was going to crash in. So when they crashed then I just bounced it out. It was just oneonone with the corner and you know I out ran him and you know it was out uh off to the races from there.  First game.  Yeah. Uh it means a lot.

 But uh first off got to give credit to the offensive line. You know they did a great job tonight. Uh made me Emma’s job much easier you know to go out there and run the ball. Tight ends uh tight ends and wide receivers as well. Um, but it means a lot, you know, but uh we just got to keep stacking on everything that we’ve started.

 Set the tone offense the rest of the day.  Yeah. Anytime somebody on the offense or anywhere, score a touchdown, it, you know, sets the tone, especially getting on the board early. But, you know, um, I feel like he got the defense into it, offense, special teams, everybody. So, uh, it was good that he was able to do that.

 Did you telling came this possible that you offensive line to produce a performance like this?  Yeah, definitely because I see the O line, you know, the way they work in a weight room, the classroom and everything like the way they train and go about everything. Um, and then we show it on at practice from OTAAS to training camp.

 So, you know, just uh we just had to come out here and, you know, execute and show it show it tonight.  Patrick said passy. Can you just tell me like what it was like installing that play and running that? I’m sure you’ve seen some versions of that where they do it like the pop.  Yeah. Yeah. Uh the film we watched was probably from 1900.

 So uh we you know it was hard to see but you know we worked it and you know we worked it over and over in practice and you know we felt like that was going to work and you know it did.  No you good.  Part 26.  What’ you say? Sorry. What does it mean to absolutely touch?  Oh yeah. Uh it means a lot. You know, it means that they trust me.

 You know, that’s it’s good to feel that way. And you know, when we first came out, we got the fourth down and you know, we still ran the ball. So, you know, they trust the run game and they trust what we can do and you know, we just want to keep stacking on that.  What did it feel like being an era as a team?  Oh, it felt great.

 You know, finally on this side, uh it felt great, you know, uh looking up Monday night, all the fans out there cheering for us. So, it felt great and we want to continue to grow with that and continue to see the fans What do you like about right behind those jumbo lines when you got the extra line and having like  Yeah, I like it a lot.

 You know, me and Tonga, uh, we always talk, you know what I’m saying? That’s that’s one of my, uh, best friends on the team really, you know, he know my dad and everything. So, uh, me and Tonga always talk, you know, having everybody come in there like the bigs, uh, you know, it just they just make big holes, you know, and, you know, you just run through them and, you know, they make our job a lot easier.

 Like I said,  and obviously what you als Patrick out there Patrick do opens up for you running.  Yeah, definitely. You know, they got to key on Pat. You know, Pat is, you know, the best quarterback in the league. So, you can’t just key on the run game. You know, he’ll throw the ball over your head or and he can run.

 So, uh he’s just a threat either way. So, it makes the run game a lot easier.  Last time out, what’s next?  Um just keep stacking. you know, go correct the mistakes that we made and then get ready for Sunday night.  Ken, when it’s a season opening game like this after going through camp and everything is full speed, four quarters, what’s that transition like for you as a running back to get into that flow ready?  Yeah, honestly, the way we practice, it didn’t take much.

 You know, we’ve been practicing, you know, we run all the way down the field. We condition a lot. So, um, coming out here, it felt much easier on like the wind, the conditioning, cuz we do this at practice all the time. It was just coming out here executing.  To that point about this is a hot night. It’s 90°. Yep.  You guys practicing where the course of the summer practice.

 Did you feel like as the game went on, especially in the second half, that you guys were starting to wear Denver down, especially in the game?  Yeah, definitely. you know, uh, and you can see it, you know, when we out there running and, you know, getting yards and, uh, we know the run game, you know, it’s going to take all four quarters.

So, that’s what we did. And, uh, yeah, definitely practicing St. Joe’s and going through all that, it makes the game much easier.  Last one guys when they come here.  Yeah.  Yeah, definitely. Um, even when I first came in here, OTAAS, training camp, everything, meeting Pat and Tra and all those guys, Nick, like the leaders on the team, the way they carry themselves on and off the field, it was surprising to see cuz these guys are successful on the field, but the way they carry theelves off off the field is more

impressive. So, it definitely was, but they accepted me with open arms and, you know, I appreciate them for that.  Appreciate it.  Oh, man. You know, it’s great to be back,  baby. Don’t look white in that blue   It’s great to be back, man. You know, playing with guys, you know, I’m comfortable with, you know, my coaches, you know, who I came into this league who instilled and everything within me.

 Yeah. I mean, just the message this defense sent after all the work over the offseason training camp and everything and to beat a team like Denver by three touchdowns, it’s got to be a real satisfying thing for you.  Oh, yeah, man. But, you know, we we got more work to do and you know, we we hungry. We know how great we is.

 you know, we’re just trying to get to the to the end, you know, game by game, week by week. And  what impressed you most about this team? I know there was a lot of things that were impressive, but what impressed you most about the effort, not only you guys, but like Monsur before he got injured with the interception, some of the younger guys, too, and being out there.

 Oh, man. You know, I’ve been very impressed with the young guys, man. You know, and this whole entire team, you know, everybody just hungry and that’s what I just love, you know, the the drive and how everybody just, you know, tuned in.  I got to ask you about Mahomes’s first touchdown.

 What was your, you know, angle to that and reaction?  Oh, man. I was happy. I went up to the trainers Juju and and they told her, “Oh, they thought he was scared going in there, you know.”  Appreciate it, man.