Current:Home > MyChiefs' Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes explain Travis Kelce’s slow start -SummitInvest
Chiefs' Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes explain Travis Kelce’s slow start
View
Date:2025-04-14 21:23:43
Travis Kelce’s eight catches are the fewest he’s had through his first three games since he became the Kansas City Chiefs starting tight end. Is it cause for concern? Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes don’t believe so.
Reid and Mahomes came to the defense of the nine-time Pro Bowler while speaking to reporters Wednesday. Both believe Kelce’s slow start is a byproduct of their opponents' gameplan to contain the tight end.
“I know people are saying that he's old, or whatever, has distractions and all this. The defenses don't think that,” Reid said of Kelce. “We have another receiver that plays opposite him that has a lot of yards and catches, and that's how this thing goes. Travis is fine.”
NFL POWER RANKINGS:Which 3-0 teams fall short of top five?
The receiver Reid is referring to is second-year pro Rashee Rice who is off to a stellar start. Rice leads the team with 24 catches, 288 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Entering Week 4, Rice ranks first in the NFL with 24 catches.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
“He's been more versatile this year. He's able to run more and more routes, and then the way he's able to catch the ball and make stuff happen after the catch. He's a hard guy to tackle,” Mahomes said of Rice. “I think it helps that the speed out there is kind of helping spread out the field for him. And then there's a lot of attention on Travis. When he’s getting those one-on-one matchups, he's winning, and that's, that's all you can ask for a guy. And he seems like he's getting better and better each and every week.”
BELL:Chiefs star's disappearing act isn't what it seems
Rice’s 29 targets more than double Kelce’s 12 targets. But Mahomes said Kelce doesn’t mind. The three-time Super Bowl MVP recalled a play during the second quarter of Kansas City’s 22-17 Week 3 win over the Falcons where three Atlanta defenders where looking at Kelce, so the quarterback threw a short checkdown pass to tight end Noah Gray that resulted in 13 yards and a first down.
“I feel like I want to get him the ball more,” Mahomes said. “Whereas he's just like, ‘I just want to win, man. I don't care. I'll run these routes and take guys with me so that other guys can get open.’”
Kelce’s production dipped last regular season when he didn’t reach 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2015. However, the 34-year-old tight end was vital during Kansas City’s Super Bowl run, tallying a playoff-high 32 receptions, 355 yards and three touchdowns.
So, while opposing defenses are scheming to take Kelce away, the Chiefs know Kelce’s impact goes beyond the box score. Recent history suggests he’s more than capable of filling up the stat sheet in the biggest moments.
“We understand he's an important part of this offense, and we want to make sure that we're still featuring him. But at the same time, if defenses are going to take away him, we'll give the ball to other guys and let them make plays,” Mahomes said.
“But as the season goes on, if we continue to show that we're going to throw it to Rashee (Rice) and we're going to throw it to these other guys and they are gonna make plays, teams are gonna have to do those one on one match ups, and that's when Travis will eat.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
veryGood! (2687)
Related
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Wisconsin Assembly set to approve $545 million in public dollars for Brewers stadium repairs
- EU leaders seek harmony at a virtual summit after cacophony over response to the Israel-Hamas war
- Electrical grids aren’t keeping up with the green energy push. That could risk climate goals
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- 21 Dog Walking Products to Make Your Daily Strolls Less Ruff
- Justice Barrett expresses support for a formal US Supreme Court ethics code in Minnesota speech
- California taxpayers get extended federal, state tax deadlines due to 2023 winter storms
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- A mountain lion in Pennsylvania? Residents asked to keep eye out after large feline photographed
Ranking
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- IRS offers tax relief, extensions to those affected by Israel-Hamas war
- 'We're not monsters': Community mourns 6-year-old amidst fears of anti-Muslim hate
- Watch: Giraffe stumbles, crashes onto car windshield at Texas wildlife center
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Schumer, Romney rush into Tel Aviv shelter during Hamas rocket attack
- Horoscopes Today, October 16, 2023
- The mother of an Israeli woman in a Hamas hostage video appeals for her release
Recommendation
Sam Taylor
Russian parliament moves to rescind ratification of global nuclear test ban
Bill Ford on UAW strike: 'We can stop this now,' urges focus on nonunion automakers
Republicans in Nevada are split in dueling contest over 2024 presidential nomination
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Alex Murdaugh estate, Moselle, is back on the market for $1.95 million
Retail sales rise solid 0.7% in September, reflecting US shoppers’ resilience despite higher prices
Donald Trump is going back to court. Here’s what he’s missed since his last visit to NYC fraud trial