Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce hasn’t approached his coaches about more looks in the passing game amid a lackluster start to the 2024 NFL season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
“In the meantime, sources say Kelce has told the Chiefs coaches to keep it rolling with the players getting touches, rather than demanding the ball,” Rapoport reported Sunday. “He’s confident enough in the product he puts on the field and knows this is what the team needs. The team feeds off his energy.”
Though three games, Kelce has eight receptions for 69 yards, numbers that put him on pace to have his worst season ever — excluding his rookie campaign when a knee injury limited him to one appearance.
Rapoport reported the nine-time Pro Bowler continues to get blanketed by opposing secondaries, which is contributed to his low output so far.
Kelce’s performance showed some signs of decline last year compared to previous seasons. He finished with 93 receptions, 984 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games. This was the first time since 2015 he didn’t hit the 1,000 yard mark, and his 10.6 yards per reception was nearly two full yards worse than his career average (12.5).
It turns out Kelce was saving a lot of his energy for the postseason. He had more than 70 yards in each of Kansas City’s four playoff games, including 209 between the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl. He only had one three-game streak with that many yards during the regular season.
After going seven straight games without a touchdown catch, Kelce had a total of three touchdowns between the AFC Divisional Round and AFC Championship Game.
Patrick Mahomes targeted Kelce 11 times against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC title game. He caught all 11 passes for 116 yards and one touchdown.
The Chiefs took steps to improve their stable of pass-catchers around Mahomes to take some of the pressure off Kelce this season. They signed Marquise Brown and selected Xavier Worthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Unfortunately for Kansas City, a collarbone injury has prevented Brown from suiting up to this point. Rashee Rice has instead emerged as Mahomes’ favorite target so far. His 24 catches and 288 receiving yards are each three times higher than the next closest player.
The Chiefs are off to a 3-0 start despite neither Mahomes nor Kelce playing up to their usual level. Like last year, they might wind up rounding into form as the season unfolds and just in time for the playoffs.
