As the Kansas City Chiefs extended their undefeated start to the 2024 NFL season with a 22-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, all eyes were on All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce — but for reasons few expected. Once the heart and soul of the Chiefs’ passing game, Kelce’s quiet performance through the first three games is raising eyebrows, and the absence of his signature energy was palpable on the sidelines Sunday night.
The usually animated Kelce was spotted looking somber, head down, rubbing his eyes, and staring off into the distance as the Falcons held a 14-10 lead over the Chiefs before halftime. This uncharacteristic demeanor was a far cry from the bubbly, high-spirited persona fans have come to expect from the three-time Super Bowl champion. His frustration seems to reflect not just a tough night on the field, but potentially a bigger issue brewing for one of the league’s best tight ends.
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In the Chiefs’ hard-fought victory in Atlanta, Kelce’s production was again limited. He managed just four catches for 30 yards, continuing a pattern of underwhelming stats that have defined his start to the 2024 season. So far, Kelce has only eight catches for 69 yards and has yet to score a touchdown—a far cry from the elite numbers that have come to define his career.
It’s impossible to ignore the fact that second-year wide receiver Rashee Rice has emerged as the go-to target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Rice once again outshined Kelce, catching one of Mahomes’ two touchdown passes against the Falcons, just as he did in Week 2 when the Chiefs narrowly defeated the Bengals. Kelce, by contrast, had just one catch for five yards in that game, with a potentially game-changing 41-yard reception negated by a holding penalty.
Kelce’s slow start is especially puzzling considering his high standards and his drive for excellence. The veteran tight end himself addressed the frustrations on his *New Heights* podcast, co-hosted with his brother, Jason Kelce. Reflecting on his underperformance in Week 2, Travis admitted, “I used to get really, really pissed off and almost lose my cool a lot of the time from not having that success… I just like to play the game to such a high level of accountability that it’s just tough for me to deal with being mediocre or having stats that represent that.”
It’s clear that Kelce, now in his 12th NFL season, is grappling with his reduced role in the Chiefs’ offensive scheme. At 34, he’s no longer the focal point of the attack, and that transition appears to be taking its toll, both emotionally and statistically. At his current pace, he’s set for just 391 receiving yards this season—a dramatic drop-off from the numbers that made him a future Hall of Famer.
Adding to the intrigue is the absence of his much-publicized girlfriend, Taylor Swift, from the stands during the Falcons game. Swift had attended the first two games of the season, and her presence coincided with Kelce’s slower-than-usual start. Whether her absence is a factor or just a coincidence, Kelce’s uncharacteristic demeanor is causing speculation.
As the Chiefs push forward into the heart of the season, it remains to be seen whether Kelce can regain his top form. Fans are hoping that his current struggles are merely a slow start rather than a sign of decline. Either way, Kansas City’s future success could hinge on whether their star tight end can find his groove again. Until then, the questions linger: Has Travis Kelce lost a step, or is this just a temporary slump for one of the NFL’s most reliable stars?
