Patrick Mahomes Opens Up About His First Meeting With Travis Kelce: “The First Thing They Asked Me Was If We Were Together”

When football fans think of the Kansas City Chiefs’ high-powered offense, two names instantly come to mind: Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Their on-field chemistry has redefined what’s possible between a quarterback and a tight end, but their story began long before the Super Bowl trophies and record-breaking stat lines.

From Alex Smith to Patrick Mahomes: Kelce’s Rise

Travis Kelce was already an elite tight end during his first five seasons in the NFL, catching passes from veteran quarterback Alex Smith. He posted career highs of 1,125 yards and 85 receptions in that era, establishing himself as a premier receiving threat. However, it wasn’t until Mahomes took over as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2018 that Kelce’s career truly skyrocketed.

Since then, Kelce has spent seven seasons with Mahomes, surpassing 100 receptions three times and 1,200 receiving yards four times. During this period, he ranks second in the NFL in total receptions (first among tight ends) and third in receiving yards (also first among tight ends). Together, they have led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl victories and two additional appearances, cementing their legacy as one of the greatest duos in NFL history.

The Origin of a Legendary Partnership

While their individual talents are undeniable, the heart of their success lies in their unique chemistry—what many have called a true “bromance.” Mahomes recently shed light on how this bond began during an episode of Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast.

Mahomes recounted a humorous and telling story from his rookie preseason:

“The first time I thought me and Trav were gonna be connected was—you remember when we had the fourth preseason game, you used to have a little off time. I set eight alarms on my phone, and I go out with the rookies. I get out there, and I see old Travis Kelce. Travis is like, ‘Come on! Let’s have a great time!’ Get home, I have all my alarms set up. I go to sleep. Wake up, not to an alarm. Look at the TV, and I see 8:15. I didn’t put my phone in the charger, so my phone died. So I obviously drove to the facility, extremely fast.”

Like anyone who’s ever slept through an alarm, Mahomes found himself in hot water.

“I sit in the locker room, they call me up to the office. I thought it was so weird that the first question they asked me was, ‘Were you with Travis?’ And I was like, ‘No, why would you even ask that?’”

Kelce, for his part, had a similar experience that morning:

“I walked into the building and they’re like, ‘Were you with Pat last night? Where is Pat at?’ I was just like, ‘My dog, man, I’m not alone!’” Kelce laughed.

That shared moment of youthful recklessness became the foundation of their friendship. As Mahomes put it, they’ve “been on the straight and narrow since then”—and the results speak for themselves.

Building a Dynasty—On and Off the Field

Not only have Mahomes and Kelce been the driving force behind the Chiefs’ modern dynasty (their 16 playoff touchdowns are the most ever for a quarterback-receiver duo), but their partnership extends beyond football. Recently, they opened a Kansas City restaurant, “1587 Prime,” a nod to their jersey numbers and shared ambitions off the gridiron.

As the Chiefs look to bounce back from last season’s failed three-peat bid, fans are hopeful that this dynamic duo still has more magic left. Their friendship, forged in a moment of rookie mischief, has become the backbone of one of the NFL’s greatest success stories—and perhaps, there’s still another championship chapter yet to be written.