Travis Kelce Yet to Get Going for the Kansas City Chiefs

Through the first eight weeks of the 2024 NFL season, a familiar face in the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense has yet to hit his usual stride: tight end Travis Kelce. Long regarded as one of the league’s most dominant pass-catchers and a linchpin of the Chiefs’ attack, Kelce has posted numbers well below his career averages, tallying just 32 receptions for 385 yards and 2 touchdowns—marking his slowest start since his breakout 2016 season. The slump has raised questions among fans and analysts alike, as the Chiefs’ offense, while still effective, has lacked the explosive, Kelce-driven plays that have defined their success in recent years. Travis Kelce Yet to Get Going for the Kansas City Chiefs explores the factors behind his slow start, the ripple effects on the Chiefs’ offense, and whether the future Hall of Famer can rediscover his elite form as the season progresses.

Kelce’s slow start is most noticeable when compared to his own lofty standards, as key statistical metrics reveal a significant drop-off from his usual production. Entering the 2024 season, Kelce had averaged 6.2 receptions, 79.3 yards, and 0.6 touchdowns per game over the previous five seasons—numbers that made him the NFL’s most productive tight end in that span. This year, those figures have plummeted to 4.0 receptions, 48.1 yards, and 0.25 touchdowns per game, with his yards-per-catch average (12.0) also falling below his career mark of 12.7. Perhaps most telling is his target share: after commanding 24% of the Chiefs’ passing targets from 2019 to 2023, Kelce is now seeing just 18% of targets, with more opportunities going to wide receivers Rashee Rice and Kadarius Toney. “It’s not like he’s playing poorly—he’s still making tough catches when targeted,” said a former NFL tight end and current analyst. “But the volume and the big plays just aren’t there right now, and that’s unusual for a player of his caliber.” Travis Kelce Yet to Get Going for the Kansas City Chiefs notes that while Kelce has shown flashes of his old self—like a 45-yard catch-and-run against the Denver Broncos in Week 5—consistency has eluded him, leaving a void in the Chiefs’ passing game.

Several factors have contributed to Kelce’s slow start, with opposing defenses’ adjusted strategies and subtle shifts in the Chiefs’ offensive approach playing key roles. Defenses have increasingly focused on neutralizing Kelce by using “double-team” schemes—assigning a linebacker to cover him in short zones and a safety to bracket him deep—effectively limiting his ability to find open space. For example, in the Chiefs’ Week 3 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Kelce was double-teamed on 72% of his routes, resulting in just 2 receptions for 19 yards. Additionally, the Chiefs’ offense has evolved to rely more on the running game and short passing to wide receivers, a shift driven by injuries to backup tight ends and Rice’s emergence as a reliable No. 1 wide receiver. This has reduced the number of “red zone” and “third-down” opportunities for Kelce—situations where he has historically thrived (he’s the NFL’s all-time leader in tight end red zone touchdowns). “Defenses are selling out to stop Travis, and we’ve had to adjust by spreading the ball around more,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy acknowledged in a press conference. “It’s a chess match, and right now, opponents are making it harder for him to get involved.” Travis Kelce Yet to Get Going for the Kansas City Chiefs emphasizes that while these factors explain the slump, they don’t diminish Kelce’s talent—they simply highlight the challenges he’s facing in 2024.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce’s slow start has forced the offense to adapt, relying more on depth and versatility to maintain productivity. With Kelce seeing fewer targets, Rice has stepped up as the team’s top pass-catcher, recording 45 receptions for 520 yards and 3 touchdowns through eight weeks, while running backs Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon have become more involved in the passing game (combining for 38 receptions). The Chiefs have also leaned into their run game more heavily, ranking 8th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (121.5)—a 15-yard increase from their 2023 average—taking pressure off the passing attack to carry the offense. “We’re not a one-player team, and this season has proven that,” said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. “Our guys have stepped up, and we’re still finding ways to move the ball and score points. That’s a testament to the depth of this roster.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, this adaptation has kept the offense competitive, but there’s no denying that a fully engaged Kelce would make them even more dangerous—especially as they head into a tough stretch of divisional games. Travis Kelce Yet to Get Going for the Kansas City Chiefs notes that the Chiefs’ ability to win without Kelce at his best speaks to their overall talent, but their championship aspirations likely depend on him finding his form.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ coaching staff has also taken steps to reignite Kelce’s production, making subtle adjustments to the offense to create more opportunities for him. In recent weeks, the Chiefs have incorporated more “play-action” passes designed to draw linebackers toward the line of scrimmage, opening up deep routes for Kelce down the seam. They’ve also used Kelce in more “motion” before the snap—shifting him from the slot to the edge or inline—to confuse defensive coverages and create mismatches with slower linebackers. During practice, quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt has worked with Patrick Mahomes on timing drills with Kelce, focusing on getting the ball to him quicker before double-teams can form. “We’re always looking for ways to get Travis involved,” Van Pelt said. “He’s still one of the best players in the league, and it’s on us to put him in positions to succeed.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, these adjustments began to show results in Week 8, when Kelce recorded 5 receptions for 78 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers—his most productive game of the season. While it’s not a full return to form, it’s a sign that the team’s efforts to jumpstart his production are working. Travis Kelce Yet to Get Going for the Kansas City Chiefs explores how these small tweaks could be the catalyst for Kelce’s turnaround.

Looking ahead, Travis Kelce’s ability to “get going” will be a critical factor in the Kansas City Chiefs’ quest for another Super Bowl title, and there are reasons for optimism. Kelce, a 10-time Pro Bowler, has a history of bouncing back from slow starts—most notably in 2021, when he recorded just 1 touchdown in the first six weeks before finishing the season with 9 total touchdowns and leading the Chiefs to the AFC Championship Game. He’s also been dealing with a minor ankle tweak since Week 2, a injury he downplayed but that may have affected his explosiveness; recent reports suggest the ankle is healing, and he’s been practicing at full speed. Additionally, the Chiefs’ upcoming schedule includes matchups against teams with weaker tight end coverage (like the Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals), which could provide Kelce with more opportunities to make plays. “I’m not worried about Travis,” Mahomes said confidently. “He’s one of the most competitive players I’ve ever played with, and he’s going to turn this around. When he does, we’ll be even harder to stop.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce’s resurgence would not only boost the offense but also provide a psychological lift for a team aiming to repeat as AFC West champions. Travis Kelce Yet to Get Going for the Kansas City Chiefs concludes that while the start has been unusual, Kelce’s track record and the team’s adjustments suggest he’s poised to rediscover his elite form—and when he does, the Chiefs will once again be the NFL’s most feared offense.