Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have not been able to build a strong on-field bond in 2024 compared to previous seasons.

Mahomes explained that the nine-time Pro Bowl tight end is less concerned with the passing game because of the extra attention he receives from defenses.

“Yeah, it’s crazy because teams still — the respect they have for Travis is just unreal,” Mahomes said on Sunday, via Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “It’s well-deserved, but we call a lot of plays for Travis, and it’s like two or three people go to him. So, I mean, he gets it.”

Kelce is averaging just 23 receiving yards per game through the first three weeks of his 2024 campaign, which would easily be a career low over the course of a full season. After 37 receiving touchdowns over the previous four years, he has failed to find the end zone through three games.

The 34-year-old hauled in four of his five targets for 30 yards during the Chiefs’ 22-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday evening football.

Kelce took it easy in 2023, averaging 984 receiving yards after eclipsing 1,000 yards in each season from 2016-2022. The veteran fared better in the playoffs, averaging 88.8 yards per game and helping Kansas City to its second straight Super Bowl victory.

Despite his individual struggles, the Chiefs are still undefeated in three games and appear poised to compete for a championship again. Perhaps Kelce can continue to thrive in the postseason, but his lack of production could spell trouble for Kansas City if he isn’t as effective late in the regular season.