Travis Kelce makes it known he’s got his swagger back after Week 4 win over Chargers

For a few weeks now, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been front and center of some unwarranted criticism and questions.

After a slow and startling beginning to his season, Kelce had seen his name come up in questions around the football world regarding whether or not he has "lost a step." Obviously, these types of questions are often asked by those looking for a story and not those paying close attention to the game.

Take it from his quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. Everybody else seemed to be worried, but not number 15.

Quite frankly, very few people inside the building were worried. Count head coach Andy Reid as one of those who didn't give the speculation a second thought, as well.

Come Week 4 in a pivotal division matchup between the Chiefs and L.A. Chargers, you better believe Kelce was going to get up for this one. It was not only an important game for Kelce, himself, wanting to prove his doubters wrong. But, it was a game where Kelce was needed.

After wide receiver Rashee Rice was injured and did not return, Kelce was in line to get targeted even more, and he delivered by catching seven of nine targets for 89 yards in the win. After the game, Kelce looked into ESPN cameras and gave fans a signature, goofy, charismatic Travis moment in celebration.

The big, old goof ball is back like he never left, folks. Look for the man to continue his momentum into the coming weeks, because the Chiefs are going to need it.

Travis Kelce may have to revert to the Travis Kelce of old in wake of Rashee Rice's injury

Along with a 54-yard touchdown reception by rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, Kelce was an integral part of the offense for the entirety of this game, especially once Rice exited.

Going forward, Kelce is likely going to see a monstrous uptick in usage. The news on Rice doesn't sound good, and if he's out for an extended period of time, this offense will have to adapt in a major way.

Now, the team will rally just as they did in support of Kelce amidst all of his ridiculous criticism. Check out the pre-game fits for the Chiefs on Sunday.

Back to the topic at hand: adapting.

This isn't anything new. The Chiefs have and always will adapt to sudden change. They did it after trading Tyreek Hill, and they'll do it once again, even though the pain of losing Rice stings greatly. The offense had just found their new WR1 in the second-year pro, only to watch him go down with a devastating injury.

Rice will be back, eventually, though. There's no doubt about it. And, there should be no doubt about Kelce's ability to fill in the gap. The crafty veteran can still find creases in coverage better than anybody in the game at his position, and Mahomes will look for those moments even more now with Rice out.

Don't forget, in a pre-Rashee Rice world, Kelce is not far removed from his 110-catch, 1,338-yard and 12-touchdown season he posted at a young and sprout 33 years old back in 2022.