Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are an inseparable duo. They’re the image of on-field chemistry. Or — they have been.
Up to now this season, the 2 Kansas Metropolis Chiefs stars have not been in sync.
In two video games, Kelce has simply seven targets for 4 catches and 39 yards. No touchdowns. That is a weird stat line for one of many biggest pass-catchers in NFL historical past — who, by the best way, had 11 catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns in his first two video games final season. (He sat out of Week 1 in 2023 as a result of a knee harm.)
This 12 months, the Chiefs are undefeated, with a pair of nail-biters to open the season. And given all their latest Tremendous Bowl wins regardless of blended success within the common season, there’s all the time the sense that they will be positive as long as Kelce and Mahomes are working the present.
However Kelce is at present an afterthought, leaving Mahomes type of on his personal.
And it isn’t completely clear why.
“He’ll get his catches,” coach Andy Reid stated Monday about Kelce. “It is not that he is slowing down or any of that bit. That is not what the deal is. It is simply groups concentrate on him and type of know he is been Pat’s go-to man. What it is finished, although, is that it is allowed us to make the most of the opposite guys round him, and so they’ve been productive.”
It is not simply the shortage of manufacturing from Kelce individually. That’s simply explainable: They’re saving the veteran tight finish, who turns 35 in October, for the tip of the season.
The bizarre factor is that it isn’t simply that he is missing manufacturing. It is that his spotty presence has led to points.
The offensive staff EPA/play when Mahomes targets is Kelce is an atrocious -.42, 73rd amongst tight ends. In 2022, that quantity was .37, which was second amongst tight ends, simply behind George Kittle. And in 2022, it was .39, the very best amongst all tight ends. From 2014 to 2024, it was .42, a exceptional EPA/play.
That helps spotlight simply how putrid Kelce’s numbers search for 2024.
Now, we’re clearly utilizing a tiny pattern dimension, however the movie confirms that one thing is not clicking with Kelce.
Two of Mahomes’ three interceptions have include Kelce as the first learn. On each throws, Mahomes seemed hesitant to throw to Kelce — which proved pricey for what ought to’ve been anticipation throws for chunk performs. As a substitute, they have been turnovers.
On Mahomes’ lone interception in opposition to the Ravens in Week 1, he hesitated on a go to an open Kelce earlier than bailing and throwing to Rashee Rice whereas getting hit. The ball went proper to Baltimore linebacker Roquan Smith.
“I in all probability ought to’ve simply thrown it to Trav. I attempted to get just a little grasping and get again to Rashee and he was open,” Mahomes stated after Week 1. “Simply the best way that I awkwardly was attempting to throw the soccer, I could not get what I needed to.”
On Mahomes’ first interception in opposition to the Bengals in Week 2, Kelce drifted right into a tender spot within the zone. Mahomes stared him down and threw the ball late. And it was a simple takeaway for the Cincinnati protection. Reid stated that Kelce was working an possibility route, which led to a miscommunication between QB and TE.
“There was just a little confusion between the 2 of them and we have been late with the ball, so that is what occurred,” Reid stated. “We’ll maintain that. I can maintain that half.”
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The Chiefs have not precisely made the most important effort to get Kelce concerned. He is not typically the first learn on performs — and, as we have seen with the hesitations that led to interceptions, these performs aren’t precisely driving the offense in the suitable path.
As Reid stated, it does not seem like Kelce has misplaced a step. As a substitute, it appears to be like like Kansas Metropolis might be utilizing him as a decoy. He is typically discovered on the alternative aspect of the place the ball is meant to go. A deep ball? Discover him working a drag. Jet sweep proper? Discover him close to the left hashmark.
Mahomes has stated Kelce is dealing with a number of double groups. And that is generally true. However, from what I’ve noticed on movie, he is actually solely getting doubled just a few instances a sport.
“In the event you have a look at the primary landing [against Cincinnati], I am really Trav and the bottom security goes all the best way throughout the sphere to assist guard Travis, and then you definitely throw the ball down the sideline to Rashee,” Mahomes stated. “That is type of what [defenses have] been doing.”
Mahomes then added: “Because the season goes on, he’ll get his catches. He will get his yards.”
That is roughly the identical message as Reid’s: Simply be affected person. Kelce will get extra concerned — however perhaps not immediately.
Since 2018, Kelce has performed extra snaps (6,523) than some other talent participant within the NFL (together with playoffs). He spoke overtly throughout coaching camp about how the final six seasons have taken a toll on his physique. And through camp, his workload was extraordinarily mild. It appeared like most days have been veteran relaxation days for Kelce.
However Mahomes and Reid are avoiding the elephant within the room, which is that Kelce’s presence has disrupted the effectivity of the unit. This half-in, half-out utilization is resulting in hesitancy and turnovers from Mahomes.
Possibly the Chiefs do not care. They’re 2-0, in spite of everything. Possibly they assume they will get by this tough patch and switch issues on late within the season. As a result of that is what they all the time appear to do. However for now, it isn’t working. And I ponder if their bizarre utilization — or lack thereof — of their finest playmaker would possibly begin catching up with them.
Previous to becoming a member of FOX Sports activities as an NFL reporter and columnist, Henry McKenna spent seven years overlaying the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports activities Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Observe him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.
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