Shannon Sharpe Blasts Travis Kelce for ‘Getting Lazy’ on Costly Chiefs Drop
Former NFL star criticizes Kelce’s technique after a red‑zone miscue helped the Chiefs fall 20-17 to the Eagles, dropping Kansas City to 0-2.
Shannon Sharpe criticized Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce for what he called a lapse in technique after a costly drop in the Chiefs’ 20-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Sharpe, speaking on his "Nightcap" podcast with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, said Kelce had been "lazy with his head" and "lazy with his eyes" on the play, arguing that the tight end failed to snap his head to locate the ball on a 2nd-and-goal from the Eagles' six-yard line in the fourth quarter.
The misplay occurred with Kansas City trailing 13-10. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw to Kelce in the end zone, and the ball slipped free into the hands of Philadelphia safety Andrew Makuba, who returned it 41 yards. The Eagles converted the turnover into a touchdown on the ensuing drive and never relinquished the lead.
"I don't know why he's so lazy with his head? There's nobody inside… why you so lazy? You gotta snap it around… and you took points off the board," Sharpe said on the podcast. On the Fox broadcast, analyst Tom Brady called it "perfect place to throw the ball if you're Patrick" and noted Kelce was late getting his head around.
Mahomes acknowledged the misconnection after the game, saying, "I threw it a tad too early. If I could put it on his body, he can catch it, take the hit, and get into the end zone." Mahomes finished 16-of-29 for 187 yards, one touchdown and one interception and also scored on the ground. Kelce finished with four receptions for 61 yards.
The loss left the Chiefs 0-2 to open the season. Kansas City's offense has been undermanned through two games: wide receiver Rashee Rice is serving a six-game suspension and Xaviery Worthy was ruled out after a Week 1 collision with Kelce. Sharpe said the personnel shortfalls limited what Mahomes and the offense could accomplish.
The game also drew attention because Kelce's fiancée, singer Taylor Swift, was in attendance. Media and commentators highlighted that context while discussing the tight end's pivotal drop.
Sharpe's remarks followed a broader conversation about veteran players' technique and consistency. He specifically called out the need for better hand‑eye coordination and quicker head placement in tight spaces near the goal line, areas where tight ends are often expected to make routine catches despite heavy contact.
Kansas City now enters a matchup on "Sunday Night Football" against the winless New York Giants. The Chiefs also face questions about how to adjust schematically and personnel-wise while key receivers remain unavailable. Mahomes, who has now experienced a three-game losing streak stretching back to February's Super Bowl, will be under scrutiny to re-establish offensive rhythm as the season continues.
Sharpe's criticism added to the conversation around Kelce's play and the team's early-season struggles, which coaches and players will have to address as the Chiefs aim to get back on track.