The numbers behind Travis Kelce's slow start in 2024

By Levi Coovert September 24, 2024 04:46

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It's no secret that Travis Kelce's 2024 season is off to a slow start. The Kansas City Chiefs star tight end has amassed only 69 yards on eight receptions across three games. Despite the Chiefs 3-0 start to the season, Kelce's lack of offensive production is worrisome.

Kelce is averaging 23 yards-per-game, which would be a career low. His 2.7 receptions-per-game would also be a career low, as would his 8.6 yards-per-reception. Even his catch percentage is currently sitting at an all-time low at 66.7%.

Kelce did show some improvement in the Chiefs week four win over the Falcons, as he amassed 30 yards on four receptions, but his season numbers remain at an all-time low.

According to Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, the problem might be because defenses have a habit of double-teaming the nine time pro bowler.

"We’re calling a lot of plays for Travis and it’s like two or three people are going to him," said Mahomes.

Kelce had a whirlwind of an offseason. He spent time following his popstar girlfriend Taylor Swift on tour, even appearing in one of her shows at London. He and his brother Jason also agreed to a $100 million podcast deal with Amazon for their wildly popular 'New Heights' podcast. Perhaps his new offseason endeavors has contributed to his slower than usual start.

Mahomes has remained adamant that Kelce will turn things around, saying he believes once the opposing defenses begin to take young wide receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy more seriously, they will stop double-teaming Kelce. Until then, he is glad Kelce keeps the defenders occupied.

“People are really emphasizing trying to take him away, and it’s getting other guys open.," Mahomes said.

It's possible that Kelce's age is also playing a factor in his lackluster numbers. He will turn 35 in two weeks, which is already old for a tight end. In 2023, Kelce saw his 1,000 yard-season streak come to an end. He averaged a career-low 10.6 yards-per-reception, and his five touchdown catches were his fewest since 2016. Could it be that Kelce is really reaching the end of his storied career?

FOX Sports' Nick Wright, of First Things First believes that may be the case. The pundit recently weighed on Kelce's production, saying he believes the star tight end has "16 great games left."

He specified, however, that Kelce could be saving those great performances for the postseason, and that he can still have an impact on the Chiefs success in 2024.

Last year, Kelce finished the season slow, but took things up a notch for the postseason. He amassed 355 yards on 32 receptions, while scoring three touchdowns and 19 first downs for the Chiefs, and was a huge part of their Super Bowl run.

Could Kelce and the Chiefs be deliberately taking this approach to save Kelce's body for the postseason, as they hope to become the first team to three-peat since the merger? Time will only tell.

Regardless of how the 2024 season finished for Kelce, he has had a legendary NFL career to this point. He is fourth all-time among tight ends with 11,397 receiving yards, fifth all-time with 74 touchdowns, and leads all NFL tight ends with 70.4 yards-per-game.