In the Kansas City Chiefs’ 22-17 win against the Atlanta Falcons, tight end Travis Kelce had a minimal impact on the offense. It was not until the second half that he caught his first pass, finishing the game with four receptions on five targets for a total of 30 yards. Notably, he has not scored a touchdown in the first three games of the season.
NBC analyst Rodney Harrison, a two-time Super Bowl champion, commented on Kelce’s performance, suggesting that his off-field commitments might be affecting his game. “He’s busy, he’s got a lot on his plate,” Harrison stated. He pointed out that Kelce’s focus should be solely on football, especially considering the defensive pressure he faced, particularly from Jessie Bates during the game.
Concerns about Kelce’s involvement drew attention from fans, particularly those supporting Taylor Swift, who has been romantically linked to him. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes noted the respect that opposing teams have for Kelce, acknowledging that while the team tries to utilize him significantly, defenses are increasingly focused on covering him. “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, that’s going to open Travis up more,” Mahomes explained.
So far this season, Kelce has been targeted just 12 times, making him the second most targeted player on the team behind Rashee Rice, who has received 29 targets. In total, Kelce has recorded eight catches for 69 yards through three games.