Travis Kelce Sends Strong Message to Mahomes and Andy Reid After Slow Start with Chiefs

Two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, Travis Kelce, one of the Kansas City Chiefs’ star players, has faced a slow start. The veteran tight end, known for his outstanding performance in previous seasons, has experienced a dip in production that has sparked conversation among fans and analysts alike. Despite his lackluster stats, Kelce isn’t pointing fingers at quarterback Patrick Mahomes or head coach Andy Reid. Instead, he’s taking full responsibility.

During a discussion on his podcast, New Heights, which he co-hosts with his brother Jason, the 34-year-old tight end addressed his struggles. “I put that on me,” Kelce stated, referencing his disappointing numbers through two games this season. With only four catches for 39 yards, Kelce admitted he hasn’t been playing his best. “I didn’t play my best, and it spreads if you don’t fix it, and I’ve got to get that thing fixed.”

Despite being a three-time Super Bowl champion and one of the most reliable players on the Chiefs’ roster, Kelce was held to just one catch for five yards during his most recent outing against the Cincinnati Bengals. His lack of involvement on the field has been apparent, as Mahomes has only targeted him seven times in total so far this season. Nevertheless, Kelce made it clear that Mahomes isn’t to blame for his limited production.

“If you want to catch the football, (1) it has to be the right play, (2) it has to be the right coverage, and (3) it has to be everybody doing their job up front and on the back end in terms of running their routes. … For whatever reason, for these past two games, it hasn’t gone that way for me. That’s football,” Kelce remarked.

Kelce’s Promise to Handle Frustration in Stride

The uncharacteristically low output has raised questions about how Kelce is dealing with his struggles. Known for his competitive spirit, Kelce has had his moments of frustration in the past. Just months ago, during Super Bowl LVIII, Kelce had an altercation with Reid after being pulled from the game, visibly displaying his anger. However, Kelce has since vowed to approach these moments with more composure, acknowledging that his competitive nature can sometimes get the best of him.

“I’m not going to sit here and get frustrated about it,” Kelce said. “I used to get really, really pissed off and almost lose my cool a lot of the time for not having that success, knowing that I demand that out of myself. I just like to play the game to such a high level that it’s tough for me to deal with being mediocre or having stats that represent that.”

Kelce explained that his focus is now on improving his performance and figuring out where things have gone wrong. Whether it’s adjusting his routes or improving other aspects of his play, he is determined to turn things around. “Moving forward, it’s just, ‘How can I be better in those moments? What’s the issue? Am I not getting out into my routes fast enough?’ or whatever the situation may be,” he added.

Mahomes Confident Kelce Will Rebound Soon

While Kelce is taking responsibility for his underwhelming start, Patrick Mahomes has made it clear that the situation isn’t entirely within the tight end’s control. The Chiefs’ star quarterback explained that opposing defenses have been focusing on limiting Kelce’s opportunities on the field.

“They’re doing a great job of just kind of having two people for him pretty much the entire game,” Mahomes explained. He gave a recent example where, during the first touchdown of the game, he initially looked toward Kelce but had to change targets when the opposing defense quickly adjusted to cover the tight end. “If you look at the first touchdown, I’m actually looking at Trav (Travis Kelce), and the backside safety goes all the way across the field to help guard Travis, and then you throw the ball down the sideline to Rashee, and that’s kind of what they’ve been doing.”

Despite Kelce’s slow start, Mahomes is confident that this won’t last much longer. He acknowledged that the Chiefs’ early-season opponents have had plenty of time to develop defensive strategies to contain Kelce, but as the season progresses, the veteran tight end will find his rhythm. “As the season goes on, he’s going to get his catches, he’s going to get his yards,” Mahomes said. “The leader that he is – what’s special is he’s hyping everybody up, he’s keeping everybody motivated, and that’s what you need out of your great players.”

Kelce’s Determination to Improve

While Travis Kelce’s start to the 2024 NFL season may not be what fans expected, the tight end is determined to improve his performance. Taking full accountability for his lackluster stats, Kelce refuses to place blame on anyone but himself. With Mahomes confident in his teammate’s abilities and Kelce’s promise to work through the struggles, it seems only a matter of time before he returns to his usual high level of play.

David Maloniez

David is a longtime political columnist who yearns to bring attention to matters that mean the most to the American people . He believes that the public should know the truth. His love for fairness is the driving force behind his articles. When he writes you can expect to see fairness for both sides.

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