When you watch Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce play for the Kansas City Chiefs, their chemistry on the field is undeniable.

The precision of Mahomes’ throws and Kelce’s route running seem almost telepathic at times, leading to many big plays and touchdowns for the Chiefs offense.

However, their connection goes far beyond what happens between the lines on game day.

Mahomes and Kelce share a bond of friendship and brotherhood that has helped propel both of their careers to new heights.

Mahomes and Kelce consider each other family at this point. They have spoken numerous times about how their relationship feels more like a brotherhood than just teammates or friends. Both players credit a lot of their on-field success to the level of trust and respect they have developed for one another away from the stadiums and practice fields as well. Whether it’s hanging out with each other’s families or celebrating major life events together, Mahomes and Kelce are as close as brothers.

Their friendship began in 2017 when Mahomes was drafted by the Chiefs tenth overall after a standout college career at Texas Tech. Kelce had already established himself as one of the top tight ends in the NFL during his first four seasons in Kansas City. But from their first interactions in the quarterback room and on the practice field, there was an instant connection and chemistry between the two young stars.

“The moment I got to Kansas City, Travis took me under his wing,” Mahomes recalled. “He helped me learn the playbook and get acclimated to the NFL. His leadership and guidance was so important to me as a rookie.” Kelce echoed those sentiments, saying helping Mahomes transition to the pros was “a no-brainer” given his talent and potential.

That rookie year, Mahomes saw limited action behind veteran quarterback Alex Smith but made the most of his opportunities. He threw for over 200 yards in his first career start against the Denver Broncos late in the season. Kelce caught 4 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown in that game, showcasing the early promise of their partnership. The following offseason, when Smith was traded to Washington, Mahomes took over as the full-time starter in his second year.

In 2018, Mahomes and Kelce took the NFL by storm. Mahomes threw for over 5000 yards and 50 touchdowns en route to being named MVP and leading the Chiefs to the AFC Championship. Kelce himself had one of the greatest seasons ever by a tight end, recording over 1000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Their connection was on full display as Kelce caught at least one pass in every single game and was Mahomes’ most trusted target.

After the season, Kelce said of Mahomes: “The trust we have in each other on and off the field is what makes us so successful. We know each other’s games inside and out at this point. Patrick is like a brother to me – we’ve been through so much together already in our short time in KC.”

That brotherly bond between the two was evident all throughout the 2018 season and playoffs in their interactions on the sideline, in the huddle, and during postgame celebrations. They were nearly inseparable, constantly supporting and encouraging each other through both individual and team accomplishments. Whether it was Mahomes finding Kelce for a clutch third down conversion or Kelce blocking downfield to spring Mahomes for a long scramble, their chemistry propelled historic numbers.

The close friendship has also extended to family time off the field. Mahomes and Kelce have been present for some of each other’s biggest life moments in recent years. In 2020, Mahomes was a groomsman in Kelce’s wedding. Later that same year, Kelce was on hand in Hawaii to celebrate Mahomes’ own nuptials to his high school sweetheart Brittany Matthews.

At both weddings, you could see the genuine care and affection Mahomes and Kelce have for one another. Their families have also become intertwined, going on vacations together and allowing their children to grow up as cousins. Brittany Matthews has said Kelce feels like “another brother” to her and Patrick at this point in their lives. The bond between the QB-TE duo is as strong as ever both on and off the field.

That connection was put to the test in the 2021 AFC Championship against the Cincinnati Bengals. After jumping out to a 21-3 halftime lead, the Chiefs saw the Bengals storm back to tie the game late in the 4th quarter. With just over a minute left and no timeouts, Mahomes led the Chiefs down the field and hit Kelce over the middle for a big gain to set up the game-winning field goal as time expired.

In the postgame celebration on the field, Mahomes and Kelce could be seen embracing, clearly overcome with emotion from the magnitude of winning another conference title together. Their postgame interview summed up the trust and brotherhood that has defined their time in Kansas City so far. Kelce said of the game-winning drive “I told Pat coming out of the huddle on that last play, ‘Just give me a chance big bro.’ And he delivered.”

Off the field, Mahomes and Kelce continue to support each other in their various endeavors and businesses. Kelce has invested in several of Mahomes’ companies like Kauffman Sports and has been a vocal advocate for his QB. Meanwhile, Mahomes was one of the first to publicly congratulate Kelce on signing a massive contract extension prior to the 2021 season. Their friendship has even extended to pop star Taylor Swift, who is close friends with Brittany Matthews.

While Kelce and Swift had a public exchange on Twitter a few years ago regarding her music, that dynamic has since shifted. Kelce was even able to meet Swift backstage at one of her concerts thanks to Matthews and Mahomes. It’s another example of how their tight social circles overlap due to their strong bond. Going forward, Chiefs fans are hopeful this brotherly duo of Mahomes and Kelce can continue elevating each other and leading the franchise to more Super Bowl victories.

In conclusion, the friendship between Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce is truly special. From their instant chemistry on the field to being there for life’s biggest moments off it, their bond goes far beyond X’s and O’s. The level of trust, respect and brotherhood they share has been a driving force behind some of the most explosive offenses in NFL history. As long as they remain in Kansas City together, Chiefs Kingdom is confident in their dynamic duo to keep delivering memorable plays and championships for many years to come.