Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were shockingly bested by the Detroit Lions by a score of 21-20 in an opening night upset on Thursday. With Travis Kelce out due to a knee injury, a game that presented itself as a huge opportunity for the Chiefs wide receivers quickly turned into a disappointing night.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Mahomes made it clear that not only do these other receivers “have to step up“, but they must do so even after Kelce makes his return. Here's what Mahomes had to say, per Tod Palmer of KSHB.

“You’re losing one of the best — I think, the best — tight ends of all time,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “But other guys have got to step up. It’s going to have an impact on the game. But other guys have to step up, and they’re going to have to step up in moments because I’m sure there are times he’ll get doubled. So we’re just going to have to rely on these other guys that are young and talented to step up and make plays, and I think they will.”

Mahomes said that teams will double Kelce, a four-time All-Pro who has rattled off seven straight 1,000-yard seasons and that the Chiefs will need to rely on their “young and talented” wide receivers. The Chiefs star emphasized that he thinks the wideouts will be up to the task.

However, they certainly were not in Kelce's absence on Thursday night. Kadarius Toney had a few drops, including one that arguably could have been the biggest reason for  the loss.

The team's leading receiver was Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who had just 48 yards. The Chiefs receivers have plenty of time to bounce back. But Mahomes knows it will have to happen whether Kelce is playing or not.