The first five games of the Kansas City Chiefs season have featured many critics taking shots at Travis Kelce for a slow start in production. The All-Pro tight end has played a central role in the offense, doing more without catching passes.
Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster spoke highly of Kelce’s impact on the offense, opening opportunities for receivers during Wednesday’s press conference.
“You have a guy like him (Travis Kelce) who’s so impactful on the field. It’s, I mean, in my opinion, I think it’s amazing. I think it’s great.” said Smith-Schuster. “He’s getting to the double team. He’s getting the ones, their best player, to cover him. And that kind of just opens as a receiver group and other guys who get open an opportunity like that. So with him, he’s (a) very smart player. So he knows how to play in space, knowing when it’s man (coverage) when it’s zone, something that’s pretty cool.”
Smith-Schuster has nine catches for 147 yards and a touchdown to start the season; he’s expected to be an essential target for the rest of the year. His familiarity with the offense and, most importantly, playing alongside Kelce have been strengths that head coach Andy Reid values.