The Bengals’ decision in the 2013 NFL Draft still fuels Travis Kelce in the recently created Cincinnati-Kansas City rivalry.
Ahead of another game between the two teams Sunday, Kelce voiced his opinion on his “New Heights” podcast with older brother, Jason Kelce, about the Bengals skipping over the tight end after four years at the University of Cincinnati and instead selecting fellow tight end Tyler Eifert in the first round.
The Bengals had three picks before Kelce, 34, was chosen by the Chiefs in the third round (No. 63 overall).
After selecting Eifert, they picked running back Giovani Bernard followed by defensive end Margus Hunt.
“I look forward to playing them just because they’re the Cincinnati Bengals,” he said. “I went to the University of Cincinnati and they picked a tight end over me in the draft.
“I just always — not necessarily held it against them — but they definitely completely just said “F–k you, Travis” when they drafted the other tight end. You can’t tell me that they didn’t do that. I was sitting right back there in their backyard.”
Eifert played seven seasons in Cincinnati, making the Pro Bowl in 2015.
The two teams have met in the AFC Championship game in each of the last two seasons, and the Chiefs finally got their revenge last year after three straight losses to reclaim Arrowhead after “Burrowhead” and the Bengals had held down the stadium.
The win led the Chiefs to their second Super Bowl victory in the last five years, and the game had extra meaning for Kelce, who defeated his brother and the Eagles to clinch the title.
“I think we made it a rivalry when we finally beat them last year,” Kelce said. “Losing to them three times in one full, 365-day year — that doesn’t sit with me very well either, especially with one of them coming in the AFC championship game.
“I look forward to playing them — I respect the hell out of all those players and coaches they have. Going up against them, we’re very familiar with what they have going on, he added. “I know it’s going to be another big challenge for our offense and our team… luckily it’s a home game.”
The Chiefs (9-6) will be hungry for a home win after dropping their last two against the Bills and Raiders.
“This time we actually have to get a f–king win at home because the Chiefs Kingdom deserve that,” Kelce said. “What better way to end this year on the right foot than against a team that we know?”
This season Kelce has tallied 90 receptions for 968 yards for five touchdowns across 14 games in a season where the Chiefs have struggled offensively.
In 14 games last season, Kelce had 91 receptions for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns.