The Kansas City Chiefs have kicked off their 2024 NFL season with an impeccable 3-0 record, but all eyes have been on one particular struggle: star tight end Travis Kelce's uncharacteristic performance. With only eight receptions for 69 yards across the first three games, this marks the fewest receptions and receiving yards in any three-game stretch of his illustrious career. The man throwing him the ball, Patrick Mahomes, has shed light on what’s been happening on the field.
Increased Defensive Focus
"It's crazy because teams still -- the respect factor they have for Travis is just unreal. It's well-deserved. We're calling a lot of plays for Travis and it's like two or three people are going to him," Mahomes said. Opposing teams have been laser-focused on Kelce, dedicating significant defensive resources to neutralize his impact. This defensive tactic hasn’t gone unnoticed by head coach Andy Reid either, who acknowledged the schemes aimed at his star tight end.
"They're working hard at taking Kelce out of the picture. If they're doing that, Rashee is going to get a lot of catches and (Kelce) knows that. . .. Some time that will level off," Reid commented. The rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice, along with Xavier Worthy, is being positioned to alleviate the defensive pressure on Kelce, giving Mahomes more options to distribute the ball.
Opportunities for Other Players
Mahomes is optimistic that this increased attention on Kelce will create opportunities for the rest of the offense. "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 makes plays, the more we're able to run the football, the more we can get 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," he noted.
Despite the frustration that could stem from such tight coverage, Kelce maintains a team-first mindset. "It's football, baby. Like, I'm not getting caught up in getting the targets and all that. I just want to have a successful offense. I think Pat's doing a great job of finding the open guy and making the right decisions right now," Kelce said. His focus remains on winning and overall team success rather than individual statistics.
Kelce’s Resilience
Kelce’s calm demeanor speaks volumes about his maturity and focus on the bigger picture. "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," Mahomes remarked. For Kelce, it's about execution and making sure the Chiefs come out on top. He elaborated, "It has everything to do with execution, just making sure that we're doing whatever we can to win these football games, man. That's always going to be the goal."
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead to Week 4, the Chiefs face the Los Angeles Chargers. Historically, Kelce has performed exceptionally well against the Chargers, hauling in 40 receptions for 640 yards and six touchdowns in his last five outings. Although teams have been successful in minimizing his production so far this season, the Chiefs are hopeful that the game plan will evolve to exploit openings created by the defensive focus on Kelce.
Kelce’s ability to adapt and stay focused on team goals mirrors the ethos that has brought him success throughout his career. "It's a new offense, new players, new pieces, and we're just finding how to have success throughout the season. I've had a lot of catches in this league, man. I'm not worried about the catches and the yards and all of that. I have the most fun when I get the ball thrown my way. I mean, who doesn't?" he mused.
As the season progresses, the Chiefs will continue to adapt their strategies, allowing Kelce the opportunity to shine once again. Until then, the team remains united in their pursuit of victory, embodying the relentless spirit of a squad that knows how to win even when faced with new challenges.