Former Chiefs S Tyrann Mathieu just gave the Chargers coaching advice on how to slow down Travis Kelce in Week 1
Should be a fantastic matchup.
Tyrann Mathieu knows Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce very well.
The recently retired former All-Pro safety was Kelce’s teammate from 2019-2021. They had much success together during that time, and likely had some great battles in practice. Kelce is in the later stage of his career, but is still playing at a high level.
Mathieu is serving as an analyst for the Chiefs’ Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday night. Earlier in the day, he appeared on “Up & Adams” with Kay Adams, who asked him how often he thinks Chargers safety Derwin James will match up against Kelce.
“A lot,” Mathieu said. “First and foremost, Derwin is one of those chess pieces for defensive coordinators. When a guy is that versatile, you don’t want to really lock him in on one person. You want him to be able to help everybody. But there will be times, especially in critical situations, in the redzone, third-down, two-minute drills, we’ll see Derwin definitely taking that match up (vs. Kelce), like those guys have been doing for the last five, six years.”
Kelce has had some huge games against the Chargers in previous years, recording at least 80 receiving yards eight times during while playing them. In a 2021 matchup had a whopping 191 yards, and in a game in 2023 he recorded 179. Kelce has also scored two game-winning touchdowns against L.A.
With speedy wide receivers such as Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, and Tyquan Thornton stretching the field for the Chargers’ defense to worry about, perhaps things will be opened up for Kelce to work underneath and across the middle of the field. James will certainly be lurking around, and he is an All-Pro player, but Kelce has definitely gotten the better of him over the years.
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