Travis Kelce has seen limited production during the first three games of the season. The Kansas City Chiefs star tight end has eight receptions on 12 targets for 69 yards.
Kelce has received outside criticism for his slow start, and some have suggested he’s not focused on football after a whirlwind summer of dating Taylor Swift.
On Wednesday, Andy Reid downplayed any issues with Travis having his mind on other things.
“Travis is fine, he just keeps being Travis,” Reid said, via Ron Kopp of Arrowhead Pride. “He works his tail off, he hasn’t lost a step, he is not distracted, that is not the case. (Defenses) are making sure they have him taken care of.”
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87).
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Kelce knows that he has the focus of opposing defenses this season. He asked Reid to keep putting him in positions that would free up his teammates.
“He collects people,” Reid said. “You have the check downs like we had last week in these big games, like (tight end) Noah (Gray), standing in the middle of the field by himself, (Rashee Rice) being able to get one-on-one situations, Travis knows it. He literally came off the field and goes, ‘Just keep dialing them up, and let them do that.’”
Using Kelce as a decoy will eventually open the seven-time All-Pro in the passing attack. Defenses will start to cover the checkdown options in the flat, leaving more space for Patrick Mahomes to find Kelce.
