Chiefs HC Andy Reid not worried about TE Travis Kelce's slow statistical start to the season

It's been a quite start to the 2024 season for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Through the first two weeks, Kelce has just four catches for 39 yards and has yet to find the endzone. During Sunday's victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, he was held to just one catch for five yards. He did make what would have been a clutch 41-yard catch on the final drive of the game, but it was negated by an illegal use of hands penalty by offensive tackle Wanya Morris.

When asked if he was concerned by the slow start from Kelce, coach Andy Reid said he was not, and noted that defenses have keyed in on Kelce, which has opened things up for other pass catchers.

"Yeah, they (opposing defenses) did have some things that they were attempting there," Reid said. "He'll get his catches. It's not that he's slowing down or any of that bit. That's not what the deal is. It's just that teams focus on him and kind of know he's been Pat's (Mahomes) go-to guy. So what it's done, though, is allowed us to, you know, to utilize the other guys around them and and they've been productive."

With the Chiefs' wide receiver corps not being strong the last couple of years, defenses have been able to focus in more on Kelce. Last year was the least productive season that he's had since 2015, but was still very effective with 93 catches for 984 yards and five touchdowns. Going beyond the stat sheet, however, Kelce has opened things up for guys like Rashee Rice, Justin Watson and Noah Gray.

Kelce proved that he can still play at an elite level during last year's postseason run, catching an average of eight passes per game for 355 yards and three touchdowns. It's possible that Reid is using Kelce as more of a decoy right now as other pass catchers get into rhythm. The last few seasons have shown that it is important to keep Kelce fresh for late in the season.

That could be more challenging now, however, with receiver Hollywood Brown expected to miss most of the regular season and running back Isiah Pacheco set to go injured reserve for at least four weeks. Kelce may have to go back to carrying the load for a while, unless someone else can step up. Regardless of what happens with K.C.'s offense from here, the future Hall of Famer will surely be up for the challenge.

Related: Chiefs HC Andy Reid isn't ruling anything out in plans to replace RB Isiah Pacheco following his injury