A broken locker room forced Kelce to step up as the season unraveled.

Problems had been building within the Kansas City Chiefs long before the losses started to accumulate. At first, everything stayed quiet. But once the season fell apart and the playoffs slipped away, the frustration came to the surface. By then, even Travis Kelce tried to step in and calm things down.

The Chiefs finished the 2025 season with a 6-11 record and missed the playoffs. That result forced head coach Andy Reid to make changes. This week, the team fired wide receivers coach Connor Embree after seven years with the organization, including three seasons as the receivers coach.

According to reports, the problems went beyond dropped passes. ESPN reporter Nate Taylor said players lost trust in Embree. That loss of confidence prompted veteran leaders like Kelce to assume more responsibility in order to keep the offense functioning.

Kelce Steps In As Coaching Trust Breaks Down

Xavier Worthy (Photo via Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Taylor shared the details during an appearance on 96.5 The Fan. He said the frustration lasted two full seasons. He pointed to young receivers who felt stuck and unheard.

“I know the receivers themselves were frustrated with their own position coach,” Taylor said. “Xavier Worthy, you can look at it, and it’s factual. Xavier Worthy, as a receiver in his rookie season, got better the absolute moment DeAndre Hopkins arrived.”

Worthy’s growth lined up with Hopkins joining the team in October 2024. Kansas City traded a draft pick to the Titans for Hopkins. Hopkins later left in free agency and signed with the Ravens. During his short stay, he became an on-field teacher.

Kelce also filled that role. Taylor said Kelce and Hopkins helped Rashee Rice and Worthy with route work and preparation. “I could argue that DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce have been more impactful to the development of Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy than Connor Embree,” Taylor said. “That’s a problem.”

Taylor repeated those claims on KC Sports Network. He emphasized that frustration often arises when teams lose. He also said Embree had time to fix things. “Connor Embree had multiple years,” Taylor said.“It was unfortunate but that was the reality of the situation.”

Kelce still played well, even with all the stuff going around him. He had another solid season and tried to lead by example. But he could not fix everything on his own. Drops hurt the offense all year and kept showing up in big moments.

More changes may be coming. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy could leave if he lands a head coaching job. The team also faces uncertainty with Rashee Rice, who is still under investigation by the NFL.

Kelce did what he could to steady the team, but the problems were bigger than one player.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.