Through three weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs are 3-0 and should be feeling positive after a Week 3 win in prime time over the Atlanta Falcons.
But, similarly to last year, the offense hasn't been quite as explosive or consistent as fans were used to seeing a couple of seasons ago. This once high-flying offense has yet to score 30 points this season and is 13th in the NFL in yards per game, offensively.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, and it is early. But, some fans might be a little concerned, especially if they're looking at how tight end Travis Kelce has started the 2024 campaign.
Through three games, Kelce has caught eight of 12 targets for only 69 yards. He's been kept out of the end zone, too, which is unusual for a player of Kelce's caliber.
This isn't a fantasy football conversation, but obviously when we're looking at the raw numbers, there could be reason to worry about Kelce. But, quarterback Patrick Mahomes isn't worried in the slightest.
In fact, Mahomes seems to view the slow start as a positive for Kelce.
"It’s crazy because the respect factor teams have for Travis is unreal, and it’s well-deserved," Mahomes said after the victory. "We’re calling a lot of plays for Travis and it’s like two or three are going to him. 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."
Patrick Mahomes is absolutely right in his assessment of Travis Kelce's struggles
In the end, Mahomes is spot-on here. To even label Kelce as "struggling" this year seems silly. For lack of a better term, sure, we can roll with that. But, it's not because Kelce is any less of a player.
The Chiefs are finding other playmakers within their offense, such as Rashee Rice, who has become a centerpiece early on this year. Why not continue feeding a hot hand who also happens to get open?
There is no reason to worry about Kelce's lack of production if the Chiefs are winning, just like there was never a reason to worry about the Chiefs' offense last year. They were winning games and ultimately won yet another championship.
Individual numbers don't matter as much to this team. Once upon a time, we thought Mahomes would quickly shatter every quarterback record there ever was. Now, it looks like he might just take a little more time to do so -- and that's perfectly fine. This team will keep winning championships so long as Mahomes is under center.
And, as for Kelce, the lack of production is indeed coming because of the fact that defenses respect him so greatly. If Kelce is covered, Mahomes will go elsewhere with the football. That's a smart quarterback. Mahomes isn't going to force the ball to Kelce just for the sake of getting him touches.
Kelce is at the age and of the experience to know better than that. He's not going to demand the football. He wants to keep winning. That's it.
If fans are concerned about the numbers, they've got the wrong idea. This Chiefs team is all about winning, and the players understand that. The numbers? Those can wait. The only number that matters is in the win column, point-blank, period.