by Travis Kelce’s Early Career Matches
Travis Kelce has established himself as one of the best tight ends in the NFL over the past decade. While he may now be a perennial Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, Kelce’s career did not start off with huge numbers or flashy plays. Like many young players, he had to work his way up and improve over time before becoming the dominant force we know today. Let’s take a look back at some of Kelce’s early career matches to see how he developed from a rookie to a star.
### 2013 Season
Kelce was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of the University of Cincinnati. As a rookie, he knew he had a lot to learn and would have to earn playing time behind veteran tight end Anthony Fasano.
In Kelce’s NFL debut in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he saw limited action and caught just one pass for 10 yards. He was still getting acclimated to the speed and physicality of the NFL. Over the next few weeks, Kelce’s role and production gradually increased. Against the Oakland Raiders in Week 2, he hauled in 3 receptions for 37 yards. The following week against the Eagles, Kelce posted 2 catches for 24 yards.
By Week 4 against the Giants, Kelce was starting to find his groove. He caught 4 passes for 48 yards in the game. His breakout performance came in Week 5 against the Titans. Kelce exploded for 5 receptions, 53 receiving yards, and his first career NFL touchdown. It was a sign that he was adapting well and could be a weapon in the red zone.
Kelce continued to produce modest numbers over the next few weeks, catching 3 passes for 31 yards against the Texans and 4 receptions for 54 yards versus the Colts. He was still working on consistency, but was trending upward as the season progressed.
In Week 9 against the Bills, Kelce saw a dip in production with just 2 catches for 12 yards. Young players often hit rookie walls as the season wears on and defenses adjust to their tendencies. But Kelce bounced back the following week against Peyton Manning and the Broncos, hauling in 4 receptions for 45 yards.
Over the final stretch of the 2013 season, Kelce started to find his rhythm. He posted solid games against the Chargers, Raiders, Redskins, and Colts with reception totals ranging from 2-5 catches and 24-68 receiving yards in those contests. By the end of his rookie campaign, Kelce had established himself as a reliable option for quarterback Alex Smith with 58 catches for 658 yards and 5 touchdowns on the year. It was a promising start for the young tight end.
### 2014 Season
With a year of experience under his belt, Kelce looked primed for a breakout sophomore season in 2014. He got off to a strong start in Week 1 against the Titans, catching 6 passes for 69 yards. The following week against the Chargers, Kelce reeled in 3 receptions for 41 yards.
In Week 3 against the Dolphins, Kelce continued his steady production with 4 catches for 45 yards. He posted similar numbers the next two weeks, catching 5 passes for 54 yards versus the Lions and 4 receptions for 45 yards against the Patriots. Kelce was developing consistency and chemistry with his quarterback, whether it was Alex Smith or the newly acquired quarterback Alex Smith.
Kelce truly started to emerge as a big play threat in Week 6 against the Colts. He exploded for 7 receptions, 83 receiving yards, and helped lead the Chiefs to an impressive come-from-behind victory. It was a sign that Kelce was ready to take his game to an even higher level.
He continued his breakout campaign the following week against the 49ers. Kelce caught 6 passes for 79 yards and his first touchdown of 2014. He was becoming one of quarterback Smith’s most trusted targets. Over the next several games against the Rams, Cardinals, Seahawks, and Raiders, Kelce maintained solid production of 4-7 catches and 42-58 receiving yards.
In Week 13, Kelce had one of the best games of his young career against the Cardinals. He went off for 7 receptions, 110 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns in the Chiefs victory. It was clear that Kelce had emerged as a true number one tight end threat. He followed it up with another strong performance the next week against the Ravens, hauling in 6 passes for 69 yards.
Kelce closed out the 2014 regular season with solid games against the Steelers, Bengals, and Broncos, catching between 5-6 passes for over 50 yards in each contest. When all was said and done, Kelce had cemented himself as one of the top tight ends in football with 77 receptions, 862 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns on the year. He had taken a major leap forward in his development.
**Analysis of Kelce’s Early Career**
Looking back at Kelce’s early career matches provides valuable insight into his development. As a rookie in 2013, he started off with modest production as he adjusted to NFL speed and learned the intricacies of being a tight end. But he gradually increased his role and numbers as the season progressed.
In his sophomore campaign of 2014, Kelce took his game to an entirely new level. He established consistency, developed strong chemistry with Alex Smith, and truly broke out with some dominant performances against top defenses. By the end of 2014, Kelce had proven he belonged in the conversation among the league’s elite tight ends.
While Kelce may now seem like a superstar, it’s important to remember he was still developing in those early years. He worked hard to improve his skills and understanding of the position. Kelce went from a rookie learning the ropes to a true number one receiving threat in just two short seasons. His steady progression in production and impact on the Chiefs’ offense was impressive to witness.
The flashes of talent were there from the beginning. But through experience, studying film, and refining his craft, Kelce transformed himself from an unknown third round pick into one of the most complete tight ends in the NFL. His early career matches provide a fascinating case study in the growth process of a young player blossoming into an All-Pro talent. Kelce’s dedication to his craft is evident in his rise from those humble beginnings to superstardom.
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