Travis Kelce’s gradual begin to the 2024 NFL season hasn’t raised any doubts inside the Chiefs group.
The crew is assured Kelce will produce extra because the season goes on, per NFL Network, and believes added consideration from defenses has performed a task in his quiet first three video games, echoing what quarterback Patrick Mahomes stated after final Sunday’s win over the Falcons.
Through three video games, the 34-year-old tight finish has simply eight catches for 69 yards and 0 touchdowns.
But Kelce isn’t on the lookout for Andy Reid and his employees to vary their method, as he’s instructed coaches to maintain feeding the gamers who've excelled thus far, NFL Network reported, with the crew off to a 3-0 begin.
“It’s crazy because teams still — the respect factor they have for Travis is just unreal. It’s well-deserved,” Mahomes stated after final week’s recreation. “We’re calling numerous performs for Travis and it’s like two or three individuals are going to him. He understands — that’s the beauty of him is he needs to make an impression on the sport however he needs to win on the finish 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 large beneficiary early on, catching 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns in three video games.
Running again Isiah Pacheco was additionally performing properly earlier than struggling a leg damage in Week 2, and undrafted rookie tailback Carson Steele crammed in admirably final week vs. Atlanta, speeding 17 occasions for 72 yards.
The Chiefs on Sunday go to the Chargers, in opposition to whom Kelce has put up massive numbers all through his profession.
In 18 video games in opposition to 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 these video games.
Kelce shall be additional boosted by the absence of Chargers security Derwin James, who's suspended for Sunday’s recreation over unlawful hits.
It was unclear as of Sunday morning if Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, could be in attendance for Sunday’s recreation in Los Angeles; she didn't attend final week’s recreation in Atlanta.