ANDY REID has made a major official announcement over Travis Kelce’s possible benching by the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Hall of Fame-bound head coach has guided the back to back Super Bowl champions to a 3-0 start this season.
Travis Kelce looking miserable amid he struggles against the Atlanta Falcons[/caption]
They have been in solid form, heading to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday where they won 22-17.
But one huge issue Reid has is the poor form of superstar Kelce, who has been well below his best.
Fans and analysts have called for him to be benched, and replaced by backup tight end Noah Gray in the lineup.
And Reid has talked about whether that would be a possibility, and the reasons behind his poor form.
There have even been suggestions girlfriend Taylor Swift, and a busy summer partying, are behind his struggles.
“I know people are saying that he’s old or whatever, that he has distractions, and all this,” said Reid on Wednesday.
“The defenses don’t think that.
“We have another receiver opposite him that has a lot of yards and catches.
“That’s how this thing goes. Trav is fine. He just keeps being Trav.
“He works his tail off and he hasn’t lost a step. He’s not distracted.
“That’s not the case. They are making sure he’s taken care of.”
Kelce has just eight catches for 69 yards over the opening three games of the 2024-25 season.
These are the lowest stats over a trio of contests in his entire NFL career to date.
One reason for his poor performance against the Falcons could be down to the absence of Swift, who was in New York.
Chiefs issues – but Kelce isn't one of them
MyView by Daniel Cutts, Sports Editor
The Chiefs are undefeated and on course for another Super Bowl ring already. It’s clear after just three games.
Andy Reid is the best coach in the league, and with superstars like Patrick Mahomes dictating the offense, you’d be foolish to think otherwise.
But they do have an issue protecting their superstar quarterback, and a lot of it is coming through the problems with the left tackle.
Kingsley Suamataia, 21, is only a rookie, but he’s a second-round pick and will be a star in the future.
But he needs time to develop right now, and Wanya Morris, 23, looks like a clever option by Reid to get Suomataia out of the firing line.
Meanwhile, Travis Kelce is having an awful start to the season. He hasn’t been himself, and Mahomes has struggled to target him.
But he is still the best tight end to ever play in the NFL, a fact that hasn’t changed no matter what anyone will have you believe.
The 34-year-old will pull through. He’s experienced, he’s all-class, and he’s ready to prove his doubters wrong.
The unbeaten Chiefs are fighting for an unprecedented three Super Bowls in a row this year.
And Reid has already been forced into a tough decision in another position.
The AFC West team have changed their left tackle, with Patrick Mahomes facing pressure on his blindside.
Neither Kingsley Suamataia nor second-year star Wanya Morris have had strong starts to the year.
And Reid has announced Morris will start their Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
This means Suamataia has been officially benched, with his future now uncertain.
'Well-talked-about personal life'
Travis Kelce was asked about his relationship with Taylor Swift during an interview with Good Morning America.
But the Kansas City Chiefs tight end gave a cagey response.
“When you have good family and friends around you, it makes that aspect of life that much easier,” Kelce told GMA.
“I’ve always been a very grounded guy. It might not come off that way when I’m playing football.
“But off the field, I just want to be a genuine person. I try not to get too far down the road.
“Because you never know what opportunities are going to present themselves.”