Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce is shaking off his struggles on the field early this season.
“With how defenses are playing us right now, I’m not really getting a lot of opportunities to make plays down the field but (I’m) not using that as an excuse,” Kelce said on Wednesday’s episode of his “New Heights” podcast. “Moving forward, still trying to make sure that I help the team out in that regard knowing I’ve been that weapon for us in the past.”
The Chiefs are 3-0 following their 22-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night which saw Kelce finish with four catches and 30 yards. Kelce has tallied just eight catches for 69 yards this season (averaging 8.6 yards) and has yet to score a touchdown. He averaged 10.6 yards per reception last regular season and 11.1 yards in the postseason.
“I’ve had a lot of catches in this league, man. I’m not worried about the catches and the yards and all that,” Kelce said. “I have the most fun when the ball is thrown my way, who doesn’t? It has everything to do with execution, just making sure we’re doing whatever we can to win these football games, man. That’s always going to be the goal.”
Kelce’s brother and podcast co-host, Jason, said it’s “frustrating” to watch Travis’ struggles and he “can’t wait for it to turn (around).”
“If it doesn’t, as long as we’re winning football games, we’re good to go, baby,” Travis responded.
Atlanta held Kansas City scoreless after the third quarter, and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed only one pass for 2 yards in the fourth quarter. Mahomes has also been honest about his performances this season.
“Luckily for me, I’m not playing my best and we’re still getting wins,” Mahomes said. “I’ve got to get better to make the offense better.”
In the fourth quarter, Kelce failed to secure the ball on a pass in the middle of the field that would’ve been a first down, with the ball knocked out by safety Jessie Bates III. The Chiefs’ next drive ended after just three plays when rookie receiver Xavier Worthy stopped running his crossing route, a third-down incompletion that forced a punt.
Kelce said he “was trying to do too much before putting the ball away” on the incomplete pass.
Despite the Chiefs’ struggles, they are among the five undefeated teams in the NFL, joining the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks.
Kansas City will travel to Los Angeles in Week 4 to play the Chargers on Sunday.
Required reading
(Photo: Brett Davis / Imagn Images)
