Travis Kelce rebounds from a slow start to lead the Chiefs in victory over the Chargers

Even as the Chiefs got off to a 3-0 start, questions swirled about Kelce’s lack of production. Everyone in the organization dismissed any concerns leading up to Sunday’s AFC West showdown.

Reid noted that he doesn’t need to see a performance like Sunday’s to know Kelce still has it.

“Well, I really don’t care what anyone thinks,” Reid said. “I watch what the defense does and how they respect him. I stay away from that and watch Trav every day so I can see him and how he works. He never wants to come out in training and games. He’s busy all the time. I don’t know, I’m not worried about it.

Chiefs receivers wore t-shirts in support of Kelce before the game.

“It’s a tight-knit group and the whole room, the whole offense is very tight. I mean, we’ve been through adversity together, we’ve been on a lot of road trips, gone to the Super Bowl and a lot more.” “These guys have been to at least one of the Super Bowls,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “They’re building this brotherhood, and I think they’ve heard all the outside noise and know what kind of leader Travis is. It was cool to see them show their support and for him to go out there and be Travis, because that’s who he is.”

Kelce led the Chiefs with nine goals on the day, a necessary performance after wideout Rashee Rice left early with what was believed to be a serious knee injury.

“I think it’s a mix of everything,” Mahomes said of Kelce’s increased involvement. “With Rashee Rice out early, obviously you have to get Kelce back into a situation where he gets a high number of catches. And then the Chargers took away some of the outside and left the middle of the field.” But I mean, the whole Kelce thing generally didn’t worry me. I know whenever we need him he will play and that’s what he did today.

With Rice’s injury, the Chiefs will need the soon-to-be 35-year-old tight end to have more days like Sunday.