NFL fans lose their minds as Travis Kelce makes lateral play to Samaje Perine on MNF - "GOAT TE for a reason"

Travis Kelce was nowhere to be found in the first three games of the 2024 season, but he began regaining his groove in the next one. On Monday night, he showed an example of how he has made a comeback.

Against the New Orleans Saints, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end caught a pass from Patrick Mahomes - then lateraled it to running back Samaje Perine, who fell just short of a first down.

Fans were quick to jump in with their reactions afterward:

More of it can be seen below:

"That was a wild call! Love the creativity from Kelce!" one praised.

"Ahah nice pitch!" another commended.

"That pass was as legendary as the Westminster chaos!" another compared.

The Chiefs, however, would be held to a field goal on that drive. They would score another for a 16-7 lead.

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Travis Kelce has a long history of making lateral plays

Whenever Travis Kelce plays, he can occasionally be counted to make at least one lateral pass after catching the ball from Patrick Mahomes. The first one to gain attention was with running back LeSean McCoy against the Detroit Lions in 2019 - the same season as his first Super Bowl title.

After the game, he said that he made the play in the spur of the moment, having been inspired by his quarterback’s craftiness.

The next two occurred in the same season - 2023. The first was to fellow tight end Noah Gray in a win against the Denver Broncos. On a subsequent episode of New Heights, he once again said that it came of his own volition, even though head coach Andy Reid had acknowledged that it was something that was practiced in camp.

But arguably the most famous lateral is one that ultimately did not happen. Later that season, against the Buffalo Bills and with the Broncos threatening the Chiefs’ divisional lead, Kelce lateraled to Kadarius Toney, who seemingly scored a touchdown - only for an offside penalty to be called against him.

The Bills would win that game. The tight end said afterward on New Heights:

"Honestly, man, it was such a bang-bang [play]. Like I caught it, turned upfield, saw the single-high safety — I knew it was man coverage, knew I had broken the contain angle of the guy chasing me… I knew KT was over there from the route he ran, and I saw him out of the corner of my eye in a lateral position… where I knew if I could get him the ball, I knew he had space to score a touchdown."

The two teams would meet again in the Divisional Round, with the Chiefs getting their revenge en route to their second straight Super Bowl title.