Kansas City Chiefs’ Early Struggles: Kelsey’s Slow Start & What’s Next

Chiefs Kingdom, the pulse of the Kansas City Chiefs fanbase, has been racing ever since Priest Holmes, a former All-Pro running back and Chiefs legend, dropped a bombshell about Travis Kelce’s slow start to the 2025 season. Holmes, a player who knows what it takes to dominate in this offense, recently told Heavy Sports that if Kelce’s struggles continue, Kansas City may need to seriously consider trading for another offensive playmaker.

The Struggles: Kelsey’s Slow Start

The Chiefs’ 22-9 win over the Giants was a relief for fans, but the issues with the offense are hard to ignore. After two disappointing losses to the Chargers and Eagles, the Chiefs needed a solid performance, and while they got the win, the offense wasn’t exactly firing on all cylinders. The most glaring issue? Travis Kelce’s numbers are way down from his usual Hall of Fame-caliber play. After three games, Kelce has just 10 catches for 134 yards and one touchdown. This isn’t the production we’re used to seeing from the Chiefs’ star tight end, and Holmes was quick to point it out.

Holmes, reflecting on the current situation, warned that if Kelce doesn’t get back to form soon, Brett Veach (the Chiefs’ general manager) may have to make a move for another top-tier pass catcher. There’s no denying the need for a reliable playmaker, especially with Kansas City’s offense struggling to find a consistent rhythm.

What’s Going Wrong?

There’s plenty of context surrounding Kelce’s early struggles. The Chiefs’ receiver room has been a revolving door all season. Rookie Rashee Rice is serving a six-game suspension, and the other receivers have been shuffled in and out due to injuries and adjustments in roles. This uncertainty has forced Andy Reid’s offense to lean even harder on timing and spacing, two aspects of the game where Kelce usually excels.

However, opposing defenses are making adjustments. The teams that the Chiefs have faced so far have been using two-high shells and bracketing Kelce on crucial downs, daring the other receivers to step up and create separation. When Kelce isn’t the automatic answer on third-and-seven, it creates a trickle-down effect. The windows are tighter for Patrick Mahomes, the reads take longer, and the offense looks less fluid.

The Impact of Rice’s Suspension

Without Rice in the mix, the Chiefs have been forced to get creative with their offensive schemes. Rice was Mahomes’ best deep threat last season and had the ability to turn short routes into big plays. His absence leaves a noticeable gap, especially when Mahomes is looking for someone to stretch the field and take the attention off Kelce. When Rice returns, he should provide the explosive plays that will force defenses to respect the outside, opening up more options for Kelce in the middle of the field.

Until then, the Chiefs will need to rely on their structure. It’s clear that Mahomes, Kelce, and Andy Reid are going to have to get more creative with spacing and route running. Kelce’s historic success against zone coverage comes when perimeter receivers clear out space, and without Rice, the Chiefs have struggled to make that happen.

Pacheco: The Unsung Hero?

One key player who may hold the key to the Chiefs’ offensive revival is Isaiah Pacheco. If defenses are focusing all their energy on stopping Kelce and playing with two-high safety looks, that leaves lighter boxes for Pacheco. Pacheco has to become the pace-setter of this offense, picking up solid yards, breaking tackles, and making defenders pay for stacking the line against him. The Chiefs need to keep the offense on track with steady production from the running game to open things up for Mahomes and Kelce. Pacheco has the potential to force defenses to adjust and give Mahomes better passing windows.

Defensive Resurgence

While the offense has struggled, the defense has stepped up to the plate. Steve Spagnuolo’s defense has been consistently strong, providing a much-needed cushion for the offense. The defense’s ability to create turnovers, hold teams in the red zone, and clamp down on third downs has kept the Chiefs in games and allowed them to win the close ones. This defensive foundation gives Mahomes and the offense some breathing room, but it’s clear they need to find a way to capitalize on those opportunities with more explosive plays on offense.

Solutions for Kelsey

As the Chiefs move forward, the path to getting the offense back on track starts with some adjustments. First, Reid may need to dial up more deep shots early in the game to stretch the defense and force safeties to widen. A play-action deep over route or post route could help create some space for Kelce. Secondly, Reid could use more motion and stack formations to free Kelce from defenders who are trying to jam him at the line. These adjustments will give Mahomes and Kelce a better chance to find success on money downs.

Additionally, Mahomes and Reid should lean into more RPOs (run-pass options) and quick glance routes while Rice is still out. These quick-hitters can help keep the defense honest and open up opportunities for big gains down the field.

X-Factors: Worthy and Thornton

The Chiefs have a couple of rookies in Xavier Worthy and Thornton who could provide much-needed speed and explosiveness in the passing game. If these two can step up and stretch the defense, it would make life a lot easier for Kelce, especially when defenses are focusing on bracketing him. Worthy’s speed and Thornton’s deep-threat potential could open up lanes for Mahomes to attack, giving Kelce more space to operate.

Looking Ahead: AFC Contenders

With the Chiefs facing tough competition from the AFC this season, Holmes’ point about adding another weapon makes sense. The Chiefs will have to contend with teams like the Buffalo Bills, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Miami Dolphins—each of whom brings a unique challenge. The Bills have steadiness and efficiency, the Ravens have physicality, and the Dolphins bring track speed. The margin for error is razor-thin, and if Kelce and the Chiefs’ offense can’t find a consistent second option, it may be difficult to keep up with those teams in the race for a top-two seed in the playoffs.

Conclusion: Moving Forward

The Chiefs aren’t far from figuring it all out. They’ve already stabilized with a win over the Giants, but as the competition intensifies, adjustments will be crucial. The offense will have to find ways to open up space for Mahomes, and Kelce will need to get back to his usual dominant self. Priest Holmes’ comments may seem harsh, but they carry weight. The Chiefs need another playmaker to emerge—whether that’s Kelce finding his rhythm, a rookie stepping up, or a trade for a proven asset. The path forward is clear: structure, spacing, and explosive plays.

The next few weeks will be telling for the Chiefs. With Rice’s return on the horizon and the offense slowly finding its footing, the Chiefs may just have what it takes to get back to the top of the AFC. But for now, the focus is on Kelsey and how he can reassert himself as the focal point of the offense. Stay tuned for more updates and breakdowns as the Chiefs march forward.