Jim Nantz’s public backing of Travis Kelce during the Chiefs tight end’s slow start didn’t go unnoticed.
When Travis and older brother Jason Kelce recapped Kansas City’s 17-10 win over the Chargers on the latest episode of their “New Heights” podcast, the retired Eagles center shouted out CBS’ play-by-play caller, who told talking heads to “find someone else to troll this week” after the Chiefs star tallied seven receptions for 89 yards in Sunday’s game.
“A lot of noise throughout the week, Jim Nantz had your back on the broadcast, all week, hot takes, gotta find someone else to troll,” Jason, 36, said.
Sunday’s AFC West clash was considered Travis’ breakout game of the season after recording just eight receptions for 69 yards and zero touchdowns through the Chiefs’ first three contests.
The lack of production from the three-time Super Bowl champ became a widely discussed talking point among pundits, with some questioning where Travis’ focus lies given his new off-field ventures.
Nantz, who called Sunday’s AFC West clash with Tony Romo, zinged Travis’ critics as the game concluded.
“Kelce is back,” Romo said, to which Nantz replied, “All the hot takes, you gotta find someone else to troll this week.”
Travis — who had 93 receptions, 984 yards and five touchdowns through 15 games last season — likened the outside chatter to “just noise” on Wednesday’s episode before critiquing his Week 4 performance.
“I said it here on the podcast last week, everything outside of the building is just noise,” Travis said. “Big game? When is 89 yards a big game? It was a solid game, a big game is like I score a touchdown or something.”
For Travis, 34, his main concern is playing “winning football” and that’s what the Chiefs accomplished Sunday to improve to 4-0.
“I was accountable this game, I didn’t have any drops, which was what happened in Atlanta to make me feel like I had a bad game,” he said. “I still didn’t have an outstanding game, there’s a lot that goes into having a great game but I did have seven catches which is, a lot of times you get the rock and I got north with it, so, it is what it is, I helped my team find a way to win, and that is all that will ever matter.”
Travis and the remainder of the Chiefs’ receiving corps will have to step up in Week 5 and likely the foreseeable future after Rashee Rice’s injury Sunday when his knee collided with the arm of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs will host the Saints (2-2) on “Monday Night Football” on Oct. 7.
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