Patrick Mahomes explains why Travis Kelce has had such a small role in Chiefs’ offense

As the scrutiny on Travis Kelce’s performance this season grows, his quarterback is coming to his defense.

Patrick Mahomes offered an explanation as to why Kelce has barely had his number called during the Chiefs’ first three games after Sunday night’s road victory over the Falcons brought them to 3-0.

“It’s crazy because teams still — the respect factor they have for Travis is just unreal. It’s well-deserved,” Mahomes told reporters. “We’re calling a lot of plays for Travis and it’s like two or three people are going to him. He understands — that’s the great thing about him is he wants to make an impact on the game but he wants to win at the end of the day.

“I’m gonna try to do my best to keep feeding him the ball whenever he’s there, whenever he’s open. I think the more Rashee [Rice] makes plays, the more we’re able to run the football, the more we can get [Xavier] Worthy involved, I think that’s going to open Travis up more. People are really emphasizing trying to take him away and that’s getting other guys open.”

Kelce, 34, had four catches for 30 yards in Kansas City’s 22-17 win in Atlanta, and the nine-time Pro Bowler has just eight catches for 69 yards and zero touchdowns this season.

During last week’s episode of the “New Heights” podcast he cohosts with brother Jason, Travis said he “used to get really, really pissed off and almost lose my cool” when he did not have good games, but said he wasn’t going to get frustrated by his unproductive first two weeks.

On Sunday night, however, Kelce looked miserable on the sideline as he went through another quiet four quarters.

The upshot was Rice torched the Falcons with 12 catches, 110 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets; Kelce’s five targets were the next-highest on the team.

Undrafted rookie running back Carson Steele had 17 carries for 72 yards while filling in for the injured Isiah Pacheco.

Mahomes finished 26-for-39 with 217 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

The Chiefs hit the road again in Week 4 to play the rival Chargers, against whom Kelce has had plenty of big games.

In 18 career games against the Chargers, Kelce has 100 catches for 1,223 yards and eight touchdowns.

His most productive regular season game of 2023 came against Los Angeles in Week 7 when he had 12 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown.