Chiefs TE Travis Kelce makes funny admission about slow start

Travis Kelce's numbers are down through his first three games, and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end is well aware of them.

"I played like trash," Kelce said of his Week 3 performance against the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday's episode of the "New Heights" podcast with his brother, Jason. "I'm playing winning football. It's not trash, but it could be better."

Kelce only has eight receptions for 69 yards and zero touchdown catches on 12 targets. If his stat line doesn't improve, the nine-time Pro Bowler will finish with career lows in receptions and receiving yards.

This season, second-year wide receiver Rashee Rice seems to be emerging as a top option for the Chiefs. Thus, he may be taking some targets away from Kelce. Through three games, Rice leads the team in targets (29), receptions (24), receiving yards (288) and TD catches (two).

Following K.C.'s 22-17 road win over Atlanta, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes told the media teams continue to double- or triple-team Kelce, which is one reason he hasn't been more involved.

Plus, Kelce turns 35 on Oct. 5. Stathead states no TE in NFL history has had a 1,000-receiving yard season at 35-plus.

Despite Kelce's struggles, the Chiefs offense seems to be humming. Kansas City (3-0) ranks 12th in the league in passing yards (211.7) and is tied for seventh in points scored (25 PPG).

"It's football, baby. Come on now. I'm not getting caught up in the getting the targets and all that," Kelce said. "I just want want to have a successful offense. And I think Pat's doing a great job of finding the open guy and making the right decisions right now."

However, the Chiefs probably need Kelce to step up at some point. Last season, he played a critical role during their Super Bowl run. In the playoffs, he recorded 32 receptions for 355 yards and three TD catches in four games.

Monitor whether Kelce finds his rhythm in Sunday's road game against the Los Angeles Chargers (2-1). In his last three games against the Bolts, he tallied 23 receptions for 345 yards and four TD catches via Stathead.