Through three games, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has just eight catches on 12 targets for 69 yards. His catches have resulted in four first downs.<\/p>\n
While it\u2019s been just three games it\u2019s still a significant dip in production for the veteran tight end. His 8.6 yards per reception is well off his career average of 12.5 \u2014 or even last year\u2019s mark of 10.6. His 2.7 receptions per game is way off last year\u2019s 6.2.<\/p>\n
So, how can Kansas City get him more involved?<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, it\u2019s crazy because teams still \u2014 the respect factor they have for Travis is just unreal,\u201d quarterback Patrick Mahomes said after Sunday\u2019s 22-17 victory over the Falcons. \u201cIt\u2019s well-deserved, but we\u2019re calling a lot of plays for Travis, and it\u2019s like two or three people are going to him. So, I mean, he understands.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s the great thing about him is he wants to make an impact on the game, but he wants to win at the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kelce took a bit last year to warm up, too, as he caught 17 passes for 155 yards with two TDs in his first three games played. But receiver Rashee Rice has been Kansas City\u2019s clear go-to receiver, as he has 24 catches for 288 yards with two TDs. Kelce is second with eight catches and third with 69 yards.<\/p>\n
Still, Mahomes said he\u2019s going to get the ball to No. 87.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to try to do my best to keep feeding him the ball whenever he\u2019s there, whenever he\u2019s open,\u201d Mahomes said. \u201cBut I think the more Rashee makes plays, the more we\u2019re able to run the football, the more we can get [Xavier] Worthy involved, that\u2019s going to open Travis up more.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, people are really emphasizing trying to take him away and it\u2019s getting other guys open.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Through three games, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has just eight catches on 12 targets for 69 yards. His catches have resulted in four first downs. While… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3467,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n