Travis Kelce says these ‘daggers’ are stalling Chiefs offense as team preps for Germany
Something’s got to change with the offense, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said.
“Our defense is playing their tails off, man,” Kelce said on the New Heights podcast that he co-hosts with brother Jason, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. “For us to keep turning it over, putting them in bad positions and them saving our tail, it’s getting real one-sided.”
Last weekend’s 24-9 loss at the Denver Broncos prompted the critique, in which Kelce went on to say that some poor habits have played a part. The defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs’ offense has more typically been ranked at or near the top of the NFL in recent seasons.
“I don’t think I’ve been in a situation where we’ve stalled this much as an offense throughout the year, and definitely at this point of the season,” Kelce said.
Much of the focus this week, as the Chiefs prepare to meet the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany, has been on the passing game, and specifically the targets. Last week, the Chiefs were held without a touchdown in a game for just the third time with Patrick Mahomes as their starting quarterback.
“Not putting up touchdowns ... it’s getting old,” Kelce said. “It starts with not killing ourselves, just daggers. Guys running the wrong routes, guys not making blocks, guys dropping the football. It’s frustrating.”
After each “dagger,” Kelce held up his hand. But he’s been the Chiefs’ most productive target. The four-time All-Pro leads the team with 54 receptions and four receiving touchdowns.
Chiefs receiver Skyy Moore agreed with Kelce’s assessment.
“That’s an echo in the locker room — we all feel like that,” Moore said. “We’re not our usual selves at the moment and we’re working every day to get back on track.”
Rookie Rashee Rice leads the Chiefs’ wide receivers with 30 receptions. But drops have been an issue for several players, and last week Marquez Valdes-Scantling lost a fumble after a catch, while Mecole Hardman lost a fumble on a punt return.
After eight games, Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP, is tracking for his worst statistical season. He’s averaging 282.3 yards per game and has a quarterback rating of 95.8. Those would be career lows.
But coach Andy Reid is preaching patience, especially with the wide receivers.
“We’re going to be OK there,” Reid said. “We keep getting better. It’s not just a wide receiver thing. It’s all of us. A week ago we were saying how good they did. Just keep the consistency going on the offensive side all the way around. Not just the wide receivers.”
The previous week, the Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 31-17, a game in which Mahomes passed for a season-best 424 yards and four touchdowns.
Asked about Kelce’s comments, Reid said the sentiment was understandable.
“When you don’t play well all the guys are frustrated,” Reid said. “That’s going to help make us better.”