KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Andy Reid has heard the surface discuss that Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce, along with his thirty fifth birthday subsequent week, is simply too superior in age to be a prime receiver anymore. He has heard the chatter that hanging out with Taylor Swift has taken Kelce’s focus away from soccer.
He is simply not shopping for any of it.
“I do know persons are saying that he’s previous or no matter, has distractions and all this [but] the defenses do not assume that,” the Chiefs coach stated, indicating opposing defenses are smothering Kelce with their coverages. “We have now one other receiver [Rashee Rice] that performs reverse him that has lots of yards and catches and that is how this factor goes.
“He works his tail off and he hasn’t misplaced his step and all these issues and he isn’t distracted. That is not the case. Individuals are ensuring they’ve him taken care of by a few of these defenses.”
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Kelce’s numbers are means down this season. He has eight catches for 69 yards and no touchdowns by three video games.
However Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes issued their strongest feedback but in protection of Kelce’s play. Mahomes, like Reid, stated Rice is benefitting from defensive consideration to Kelce. Rice leads the NFL with 24 catches and is second in yards with 288.
“Groups have to regulate [coverage on Rice],” Mahomes stated. “If they do not, Rashee goes to have 2,000 yards.”
Mahomes pointed to a play from final week’s win over the Atlanta Falcons for Kelce’s influence. Kelce was bumped coming off the road by one defender after which surrounded by three others as he received into his cross route.
That left one other tight finish, Noah Grey, in the course of the sector and not using a defender inside 10 yards. Mahomes accomplished the cross to Grey.
“It helps out different guys,” Mahomes stated. “If we present that Noah’s going to catch that [for] 13 or 15 yards, no matter it’s, or if he takes a man and Rashee catches the ball and breaks the sort out and will get 15, 20 yards. … It is a part of the sport. I clearly need to give him the ball and let him influence the sport that means, however the extra defenses respect him, different guys get open and different guys make performs.”
