Travis Kelce’s slow start to the 2024 NFL season hasn’t raised any doubts within the Chiefs organization.
The team is confident Kelce will produce more as the season goes on, per NFL Network, and believes added attention from defenses has played a role in his quiet first three games, echoing what quarterback Patrick Mahomes said after last Sunday’s win over the Falcons.
Through three games, the 34-year-old tight end has just eight catches for 69 yards and zero touchdowns.
But Kelce isn’t looking for Andy Reid and his staff to change their approach, as he’s told coaches to keep feeding the players who have excelled so far, NFL Network reported, with the team off to a 3-0 start.
“It’s crazy because teams still — the respect factor they have for Travis is just unreal. It’s well-deserved,” Mahomes said after last week’s game. “We’re calling a lot of plays for Travis and it’s like two or three people are going to him. He understands — that’s the great thing about him is he wants to make an impact on the game but he wants to win at the end of the day.
“I’m gonna try to do my best to keep feeding him the ball whenever he’s there, whenever he’s open. I think the more Rashee [Rice] makes plays, the more we’re able to run the football, the more we can get [Xavier] Worthy involved, I think that’s going to open Travis up more. People are really emphasizing trying to take him away and that’s getting other guys open.”
Second-year receiver Rashee Rice has been the big beneficiary early on, catching 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns in three games.
Running back Isiah Pacheco was also performing well before suffering a leg injury in Week 2, and undrafted rookie tailback Carson Steele filled in admirably last week vs. Atlanta, rushing 17 times for 72 yards.
The Chiefs on Sunday visit the Chargers, against whom Kelce has put up big numbers throughout his career.
In 18 games against the Chargers, the nine-time Pro Bowler has 100 catches for 1,223 yards and eight touchdowns, and Kansas City has gone 16-2 in those games.
Kelce will be further boosted by the absence of Chargers safety Derwin James, who is suspended for Sunday’s game over illegal hits.
It was unclear as of Sunday morning if Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, would be in attendance for Sunday’s game in Los Angeles; she did not attend last week’s game in Atlanta.
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