Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has leapt to Travis Kelce‘s defense amid concern over his underwhelming start to the NFL season.
Kelce has put up the worst numbers of his career so far in 2024, with his measly return of eight catches for just 69 yards the lowest he has ever recorded through a three-game spell for the Chiefs.
Many have questioned whether the legendary tight end’s dedication to football has faded amid his whirlwind relationship with pop megastar Taylor Swift, while some are even calling for him to retire as he nears his 35th birthday.
Yet according to Reid, under whom Kelce has won three Super Bowls in Kansas City, the reaction to his sluggish start has been way over the top.
The iconic Chiefs coach insists Travis is by no means distracted and certainly hasn’t ‘lost a step’, instead suggesting NFL defenses are smothering him due to his quality.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid (left) has leapt to Travis Kelce ‘s defense amid concern over his underwhelming start to the NFL season
‘I know people are saying that he’s old or that he has distractions, but defenses don’t think that,’ Reid said about Kelce on Wednesday. ‘Trav is fine. He just keeps being Trav. He works his tail off.
‘He hasn’t lost a step. He’s not distracted. (Defenses) are making sure he’s taken care of.’
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes made a similar argument about his long-time teammate after their win at the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
‘I mean the respect factor [defenses] have for Travis is still unreal and it’s well deserved,’ Mahomes said. ‘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. He wants to make an impact on the game but he wants to win at the end of the day.
‘I’m going to try and 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 up Travis more.
Kelce has put up the worst numbers of his career so far in 2024 for the Super Bowl champions
But Reid is adamant that his tight end is fully focused, despite claims that his romance with Taylor Swift is distracting him
‘He understands. That’s the great thing about him. He wants to make an impact on the game but he wants to win at the end of the day.
‘I’m going to try and 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 up Travis more.
Kelce has put up the worst numbers of his career so far in 2024 for the Super Bowl champions
But Reid is adamant that his tight end is fully focused, despite claims that his romance with Taylor Swift is distracting him
