The Kansas City Chiefs entered Super Bowl 59 looking to become the first NFL team ever to win three straight Super Bowls. Instead, they were overwhelmed by the Philadelphia Eagles, who dominated in a 40-22 victory to successfully avenge their Super Bowl 57 loss.
For the Chiefs, it was a night to forget — especially for star tight end Travis Kelce. A future Hall of Famer and one of the most dominant postseason performers in NFL history, Kelce was shockingly ineffective, finishing with just four catches for 39 yards and no touchdowns. Meanwhile, his high-profile girlfriend, Taylor Swift, was in attendance but had a miserable time, getting relentlessly booed by Eagles fans throughout the game.
While Kelce has been one of Patrick Mahomes’ most trusted targets for years, his effort — or lack thereof — drew sharp criticism from a three-time Super Bowl champion who didn’t hold back when sharing his thoughts.
Mark Schlereth Rips Travis Kelce’s Effort in Super Bowl 59
Former NFL offensive lineman Mark Schlereth, who won three Super Bowls with Washington (1991) and Denver (1997 and 1998), didn’t mince words when discussing Kelce’s performance on the “Stinkin Truth” podcast.
“He was absolute garbage in that game. There’s a clip of him just standing around while Patrick Mahomes is scrambling and getting hit. And Chiefs fans kill me. They defend him, saying, ‘Oh, he saw the flag, that’s why he stopped!’ Really? He stood there for four seconds before the flag was even thrown. And let’s say it was a holding call — if Mahomes fumbled and the Eagles recovered, could they not decline the penalty?”
Schlereth, who built his career in the trenches, knows a thing or two about effort, having played 12 seasons in the NFL, winning championships alongside legends like John Elway. For him, Kelce’s apparent lack of urgency on such a big stage was inexcusable.
A Perfect Storm of Struggles for Kelce
There’s no doubt that the Eagles’ defense deserves plenty of credit for shutting down Kelce. Philadelphia’s secondary played tight coverage all game, and their pass rush kept Mahomes from getting comfortable in the pocket.
The environment may have also played a role. Swift, one of the most famous people on the planet, has been embraced by Chiefs Kingdom, but the Eagles-heavy presence in New Orleans made it clear they weren’t interested in giving her a warm welcome. The pop star was met with relentless boos throughout the night, and the raucous atmosphere may have contributed to a frustrating game for Kelce.
With Kelce now heading into an offseason full of questions about whether he’ll retire, Schlereth’s comments serve as a harsh reminder that no player — no matter how great — is above criticism when they don’t show up on football’s biggest stage.
