Which KC Chiefs players will benefit most from first-round bye?

Tight end Travis Kelce

As a 33-year-old veteran, tight end Travis Kelce missing a game or two due to injury would not have been surprising. But he managed to stay healthy with a reduced workload.

As far as injuries go, Kelce has not missed a single game in 2022. Those bumps and bruises are certainly normal at the tight end position. Kelce has maintained his body well over the years, playing in at least 15 games each season since 2013.

Kelce remains on top of the tight end mountain after another stellar season in Kansas City. He recorded several career highs, including targets and touchdowns. But a concerning part of Kelce’s 2022 campaign is his minimal impact after Week 12. He did not catch any touchdowns and had two games with 100 or more receiving yards in that span. It is not bad production for a tight end, but it is less than fans expected down the season’s stretch.

An interesting fact about Kelce’s 2022 season is his relatively low snap count. He played in 80% of the Chiefs’ offensive snaps in 2022, his lowest since 2014. That shows that Kelce did cede snaps to Noah Gray but was an active focal point in Kansas City’s passing game. His snap-to-target ratio is the best in his career, showing that the Chiefs kept Kelce in reserve for when they needed him most.

Kelce is Mahomes’ top receiving option, and his safest to boot. If the Chiefs have been keeping Kelce on a shorter leash during the regular season, then the bye will be helpful. Let Kelce get some rest. The Chiefs will then match up with the league’s best tight end against their AFC opponents.