Travis Kelce's 2024 season has started slower than fans expected.
Coming off his ninth Pro Bowl, he's only had seven targets and four catches for 39 yards. In the recent win over the Bengals, he had just one catch for five yards.
Kelce missed the first game of the 2023 season due to injury. When he returned, he had four catches on nine targets for 26 yards and a touchdown. In his second game, he grabbed seven catches for 69 yards and another touchdown.
At 34, nearing 35, Kelce is starting to show his age.
But could something else be impacting his performance? Stephen A. Smith seems to think so. He brought up Taylor Swift on Monday’s "First Take" when talking about Kelce's play.
"We saw more of Taylor Swift than Travis Kelce," Smith said. "That wasn’t supposed to happen. We’re supposed to see more of him. Honeymoon’s over. Let’s handle our business."
It may also be part of the Chiefs' game plan. Kansas City's tight ends have only seen 11 targets in two games. Kelce, Noah Gray, and Jared Wiley share those.
Coach Andy Reid addressed whether teams are focusing more on Kelce.
"They did have some things they were attempting," Reid said. "He’ll get his catches. It’s not that he’s slowing down. Teams focus on him because he’s Pat’s go-to guy."
With Isiah Pacheco injured, one of the tight ends will need to step up to support Patrick Mahomes.