Travis Kelce had a limited impact on the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense during their 22-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. He did not catch a pass until the second half and ended the game with four receptions on five attempts for a total of 30 yards. Notably, he has yet to score in the first three games of the season.
Rodney Harrison, a two-time Super Bowl champion and current NBC analyst, commented on Kelce’s situation. He acknowledged the tight end’s busy schedule, saying, “He’s busy, he’s got a lot on his plate. He’s doing a lot of different things media-wise while playing football, and that’s a lot to juggle. But in his position, it’s essential to focus entirely on football.”
Harrison also noted the strong defensive performance by Jessie Bates, stating, “He just doesn’t have the same speed. He’s still a good player, but I wouldn’t say he’s a great, great player.”
Concern for Kelce’s performance was also voiced by Taylor Swift fans observing his demeanor on the sidelines. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes mentioned the apparent lack of integration in the game plan for Kelce. He explained, “The respect factor they have for Travis is unreal, and it’s well-deserved. We’re calling a lot of plays for him, but it seems like two or three defenders are focused on him. He wants to make an impact but is also focused on winning.”
Mahomes emphasized the importance of involving other players like Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, which could help free up Kelce. Through three games, Kelce has been targeted just 12 times, the second most on the team, whereas Rice has garnered 29 targets. Currently, Kelce has eight receptions totaling 69 yards this season.