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Frustration over the performance of the Kansas City Chiefs' offense has reached its boiling over multiple times in recent weeks. 

Fans have witnessed a few different sideline eruptions when things haven't been going right. Whether it was Patrick Mahomes having to be held back from yelling at the officials after the loss to the Buffalo Bills, or Travis Kelce losing his cool and smashing his helmet in Week 16, the vibes have been as far from impeccable as they could be. 

Brothers Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce hashed out the frustration on the latest episode of their New Heights Show podcast. 

"The frustration was visible on the sideline," Jason said. "Obviously, you had the incident where you tossed your helmet in typical Kelce fashion. It's a very normal Kelce thing to do, apparently, when you get pissed off. And Andy commented about it after the game, the exchange he had with you, and he said, 'He went back in and did a nice job. Things happen. It's an emotional game. Sometimes my red hair gets to me a little bit, but it all works out.'" 

Kelce felt that Coach Reid was being protective in his comments and doing him a solid after the helmet-throwing scene.

"He's looking out for me," Travis said. "I went back out and I didn't play good. He wanted to see the fire in me and I reacted in a bad way. He wanted to get the best out of me, and right now I'm just not playing my best football and I've got to f—ing lock the f— in and be more accountable for him and be more accountable for my teammates. I've got to keep my f—ing cool, man. As a leader on this team, that's not how you switch the momentum."

Older Chiefs fans probably know what that frustration looks like when there is a general lack of success. It was seen during the pre-Andy Reid and pre-Patrick Mahomes eras. This type of frustration that they're seeing isn't the same, though.

This is not an issue of dissension or disunion in the ranks, but rather a show that the leaders on the team care about winning and care when things aren't going right. 

"Well, you weren't the only one," Jason said to Travis. "Pat (Mahomes) was seen on the sideline trying to fire up the O-Line. Isiah Pacheco broke the training table while being evaluated for a concussion. I know it doesn't look good and there are better ways — there's always in hindsight, 'Hey, shouldn't have done that. Should have kept my composure.' But at least you're seeing a bunch of teammates who care about it. It's not the healthiest way to voice it, but this is what happens when you're in a highly competitive environment with a bunch of guys who want to win." 

Patrick Mahomes later echoed the same sentiments during his media availability on Wednesday. 

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: "People see frustration and think it causes controversy, I see it as people showing that they care."

— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) December 27, 2023

Perhaps if every player showed such emotion, the team wouldn't find themselves in their current predicament. Maybe that fire and passion will help spark a fuse that is desperately needed for this team to hit their stride ahead of the postseason.

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