Is Travis Kelce on the bench? Explains Chiefs star's viral photo after slow start to 2024

The Kansas City Chiefs look to solidify themselves as a dynasty by winning their third straight Super Bowl. They got off to a good start, starting the 2024 NFL season undefeated at 3-0, but they remarkably don't win their games easily.

So far, Kansas City has beaten the Baltimore Ravens by seven, the Cincinnati Bengals by one and the Atlanta Falcons by five. All three opponents have been criticized for their poor starts, but wins are wins in the NFL. But as the Chiefs try to get going, they are missing an impact player on offense.

Star tight end Travis Kelce is healthy but has taken a notable step backwards in his performance. He also started the 2023 season slowly, but by Week 3 the tight end appeared to be coming through on the team's bench.

🥲 pic.twitter.com/TybucaWqUn

— 🏈👑 (@TayvisHaze) September 23, 2024

Kelce hasn't hit his normal target percentage, which has fans wondering if he was benched. Here we provide the latest updates on Kansas City and how they are approaching their star tight end.

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Did the Chiefs bench Travis Kelce?

Not official. Despite speculation, head coach Andy Reid has not indicated that the team has benched Kelce. Kelce has seen fewer goals per game than he has in recent years, and it looks like there are some things wrong between him and quarterback Patrick Mahomes' timing.

As Kelce pursues his career after football, a few things have happened off the field. He and his brother Jason have the New Heights podcast, which has been extremely successful. With his role on the new FX show Grotesquerie, Kelce finally managed to branch out into acting beyond TV commercials.

Fans on social media were quick to blame Taylor Swift, but another factor is that Kelce is also about to turn 35 and is playing in his 12th NFL season.

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Travis Kelce Stats 2024

Kelce's first three games of 2024

Kelce's first three games of 2023

When you look at the numbers, things look bleak. Kelce still has the second-most targets and third-most receiving yards on the team. He didn't score a touchdown, but Kansas City has just four receiving touchdowns in three games; One of them was an offensive tackle.

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Chiefs tight end depth chart

Noah Grey

Gray was drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Some thought he would eventually replace Kelce, but he has been a solid addition to the starting tight end for now. Gray has played in 53 games in his career, rushing for 690 yards and four touchdowns.

Jared Wiley

The 6-6 Wiley was a fourth-round pick by Kansas City this year. He played for Texas for two years and then transferred to TCU for the final three years of his college career. As a rookie, Wiley only has one reception for seven yards.

Travis Kelce contract

Kelce signed a two-year contract extension to remain with Kansas City through the 2025 season. This should enable him to end his playing career with the Chiefs. The extension was for $32,250,000, with $17 million guaranteed.