Travis Kelce Hilariously Imitates Mahomes After Coach Admits He Was Obsessed With His Pre-Draft Tape

From the moment Patrick Mahomes first stepped into the Kansas City Chiefs’ facility, it was clear he was different. Not just because of his cannon arm or his ability to throw no-look passes, but because of something much simpler—his voice. It’s a voice that’s become as much a part of NFL lore as his Super Bowl heroics: high-pitched, a little raspy, and, as many fans and teammates have joked, not unlike Kermit the Frog.

For all the accolades Mahomes has collected—three Super Bowl wins, two MVP awards, a highlight reel full of impossible plays—his voice remains an endless source of amusement. His teammates, especially All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce, have turned their Mahomes impressions into a running joke, one that brings levity to the high-pressure world of professional football.

On a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, hosted by Travis and his brother Jason Kelce, the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Matt Nagy joined them to share some behind-the-scenes stories about Mahomes’ rise to stardom. The conversation offered a rare look at how the Chiefs fell in love with Mahomes—not just as a quarterback, but as a person.

The Tape You Can’t Stop Watching

Matt Nagy remembers the first time he sat down to watch Mahomes’ college tape. At the time, Mahomes was a gunslinger at Texas Tech, putting up gaudy numbers in a pass-happy offense. But it wasn’t just the stats that caught Nagy’s eye—it was the way Mahomes played the game.

“You can’t put the tape down, you just want to keep watching more and more,” Nagy recalled. “As you’re watching it, you just see the plays that he’s making and these stupid throws. He saw so much Drop 8 in college. So part of you is like, ‘He’s seeing all this Drop 8 and he’s scrambling around, and no one’s better than him when he’s outside the pocket. He can make special throws.’ He was doing a lot of that, so the question just became, ‘Okay, what type of person is he?’”

It was a fair question. NFL history is littered with quarterbacks who could throw the ball a mile but couldn’t handle the demands of leadership or the pressure of being the face of a franchise. The Chiefs’ front office needed to know: Was Mahomes more than just a highlight machine?

The Interview That Changed Everything

That answer came quickly once Mahomes arrived in Kansas City for his pre-draft interview. Nagy and the rest of the coaching staff were immediately struck by Mahomes’ humility, his easy charm, and, of course, that unmistakable voice. “He was special… We were all on board,” Nagy said.

Travis Kelce, who had already established himself as one of the league’s best tight ends, remembers his own first impression of Mahomes. “The first time you meet him, and that first ‘What’s up dog?’ It’s like, oh, it’s good,” Kelce recalled on the podcast, slipping into a pitch-perfect imitation of Mahomes’ voice. “You’re like family forever after you get that from him, man. He’s such a good dude, and I already know that he’s going to ace that side of the test every time.”

Kelce’s Mahomes impression has become a staple in the Chiefs’ locker room—and among fans. It’s affectionate, never mean-spirited, and speaks to the genuine camaraderie that Mahomes has fostered since day one.

Humility and Teamwork

For all the jokes about his voice, Mahomes’ humility is what truly sets him apart. “He came in the best teammate he could possibly be,” Kelce said. From the start, Mahomes made it clear that he wasn’t there to take over the team or step on anyone’s toes. He was there to learn, to work, and to earn the trust of his teammates.

That humility was critical, especially given the man Mahomes was set to replace: Alex Smith. Smith was a veteran quarterback, respected throughout the league for his professionalism and leadership. Under his guidance, the Chiefs had become perennial playoff contenders. Still, everyone knew that Mahomes, with his generational talent, was the future.

Nagy was quick to give Smith his due. “Because of how good Patrick is, people forget what Alex did in the time that he was here… Alex was just killing it, man. He’s a winner, he’s a hell of a person, and what he did for Patrick and me as a coach, that was unbelievable.”

Smith didn’t just hand the keys to Mahomes—he helped build the car. He welcomed the rookie, mentored him, and set an example for how to prepare, how to lead, and how to handle the ups and downs of life in the NFL.

The Passing of the Torch

In 2018, the Chiefs made the transition official. Smith was traded to Washington, and Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback. The rest is history: in his first season as a starter, Mahomes threw for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns, earning league MVP honors. He led the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowl victories and established himself as the face of the NFL.

Yet even as Mahomes’ legend has grown, he’s never lost the qualities that endeared him to his teammates from the start. He’s relentlessly positive, quick to give credit, and always ready with a self-deprecating joke. His voice—once a source of nerves during interviews—has become a symbol of his authenticity.

A Family Forever

Kelce’s impression of Mahomes isn’t just about getting laughs. It’s about the bond that’s formed between two of the NFL’s brightest stars. It’s about the way Mahomes has made everyone around him feel like family, from the coaching staff to the last man on the practice squad.

“After you get that first ‘What’s up dog?’ from him, you know you’re in,” Kelce joked. But it’s more than a catchphrase. It’s a reminder that, in a league defined by egos and rivalries, the Chiefs have built something different—a culture of trust, humility, and yes, a little bit of humor.

The Legacy of Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes

While Mahomes will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Alex Smith’s legacy in Kansas City is secure. He was the bridge between eras, the mentor who helped shape Mahomes into the leader he is today. In the halls of Arrowhead Stadium, both men are celebrated—not just for what they accomplished on the field, but for the way they carried themselves off it.

As the Chiefs continue their quest for more championships, the story of Mahomes’ rise—and the laughter that’s followed—serves as a reminder that greatness comes in many forms. Sometimes, it has a Texas twang and a voice that sounds a lot like a Muppet. And sometimes, that’s exactly what a team needs.