I Take Full Responsibility for That

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Travis Kelce is taking responsibility for the Kansas City Chiefs’ slow start to the season. In a recent episode of the podcast “New Heights,” which he hosts alongside his brother Jason, Kelce expressed that the initial struggles fall squarely on his shoulders.

“I put that on me,” Kelce stated. He acknowledged, “I didn’t play my best, and it spreads if you don’t fix it and I’ve got to get that thing fixed.”

So far this season, Kelce has managed to catch just four passes for a mere 39 yards across the Chiefs’ first two games. As one of the most successful tight ends in NFL history, Kelce’s performance has raised eyebrows. He is approaching his 35th birthday next month and, despite previously enjoying a streak of seven consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, that run ended last year when he sat out the final regular-season game after the Chiefs secured their playoff position.

Kelce emphasized that achieving high reception numbers entails multiple factors aligning perfectly. “If you want to catch the football,” he noted, “it has to be the right play, it has to be the right coverage, and it has to be everybody doing their job up front and on the back end in terms of running their routes.” He lamented that, for whatever reasons, the right conditions haven’t materialized for him in the past two games.

Historically, when Kelce has faced challenges in getting the ball, his frustrations have been evident. During Super Bowl LVIII earlier this year, the tight end famously displayed his displeasure by yelling at coach Andy Reid and nearly colliding with him on the sideline. However, Kelce has committed to a different mindset this season.

“I’m not going to sit here and get frustrated about it,” Kelce asserted. He acknowledged that he used to react strongly to not achieving the success he desired, often resulting in him losing his cool. “I demand a lot out of myself,” he explained. “I just like to play the game to such a high level that it’s tough for me to deal with being mediocre or having stats that represent that.”

Looking ahead, Kelce is focused on how he can improve his performance in crucial moments. He is determined to identify the root of his struggles, pondering whether it might stem from not getting out into his routes swiftly enough or other factors affecting his gameplay. His commitment to improvement suggests that he is ready to adapt and find ways to contribute more effectively as the season progresses.

Kelce’s leadership and self-awareness will be pivotal for the Chiefs as they aim to rebound from their slow start. Fans and teammates alike will be watching closely to see how he implements these changes and what adjustments the team makes moving forward. As a key player, Kelce’s ability to turn things around could greatly influence the success of the team in the upcoming games.