Patrick Mahomes Addresses Why Travis Kelce's Limited Role Early In Season

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes defended tight end Travis Kelce after he had a limited role in the team's offense for the third consecutive game during their team's 22-17 Sunday Night Football win against the Atlanta Falcons.

Mahomes said he rarely targeted Kelce Sunday (September 22) because the Falcons were putting extra coverage on the former All-Pro tight end.

“It’s crazy because teams still — the respect factor they have for Travis is just unreal. It’s well-deserved,” Mahomes told reporters via the New York Post. “We’re calling a lot of plays for Travis and it’s like two or three people are going to him. He understands — that’s 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.

“I’m gonna try to do my best to keep feeding him the ball whenever he’s there, whenever he’s open. I think the more Rashee [Rice] makes plays, the more we’re able to run the football, the more we can get [Xavier] Worthy involved, I think that’s going to open Travis up more. People are really emphasizing trying to take him away and that’s getting other guys open.”

Kelce, 34, was limited to four receptions for 30 yards Sunday night and has eight receptions for 69 yards and zero touchdowns through his first three games of the 2024 NFL season. The nine-time Pro Bowler said he "used to get really, really pissed off and almost lose my cool" during lackluster performances earlier in his career, but claimed he wouldn't be frustrated by his first two games during last week's episode of his New Heights podcast with his brother and co-host, former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center turned ESPN NFL analyst Jason Kelce.

Mahomes finished Sunday's game with 217 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on 26 of 39 passing. The Chiefs will face the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium during their first of two annual AFC West divisional matchups on Sunday (September 29).