Analysis

It was clear that the 49ers came into this contest with a game plan to limit Kelce for a shorthanded Chiefs offense. While the opponent's defensive strategy was successful, it did not lead to a win, as Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City's rushing attack (four combined touchdowns) took care of business Sunday. Kelce was coming off of a pair of strong fantasy outings in his previous two contests, so managers will be hoping for a bounce-back performance against the Raiders next Sunday.

Analysis

Kelce led the Chiefs in receptions and targets on the night with figures that also qualified as season highs. The star tight end has reemerged over the last pair of contests after a worrisome first three games, having generated a 14-159-0 line in the former span. Kelce's contributions have been particularly critical considering the depleted nature of the team's receiving corps, which has now lost its top two members in Rashee Rice (IR, knee) and Marquise Brown (IR, shoulder). Kelce should continue to play an elevated role when Kansas City emerges from a Week 6 bye to face the 49ers in a road Super Bowl rematch on Sunday, Oct. 20.

Analysis

After combining to earn only 12 targets through three games this season, Kelce finally saw a more significant role in the Chiefs' offense. He had a few big gains on the day, the longest of which was a 38-yard catch down the right sideline on the team's first possession. While Kelce isn't likely to return to his production from past campaigns, he'll almost certainly regain his role as the centerpiece of the offense with Rashee Rice (knee) suffering an apparent long-term injury Sunday.

Analysis

Kelce's slow start continued in the first half, as he had just four yards on two targets. He made a nine-yard catch on the first play of the third quarter and added an 18-yard catch four plays later but then went quiet again. The star tight end has a meager 69 receiving yards and has yet to score a touchdown heading into a Week 4 road game against the Chargers.

Analysis

Kelce came just short of his first touchdown of the season in the third quarter, getting tackled inside the 1-yard line before backup left tackle Wanya Morris caught a touchdown on the next play to give Kansas City a 17-16 lead. The star tight end had a 41-yard catch called back on a holding penalty in the fourth quarter, so he came close to significantly improving his meager stat line on two separate occasions. As things stand, Kelce has just 39 receiving yards on the season heading into Week 3 against the Falcons.

Analysis

Kelce had an uncharacteristically quiet performance to start the season, with fellow tight end Noah Gray actually matching his reception total and outgaining him by three yards. Most of Kelce's production came on an impressive 23-yard reception, as the veteran star ceded the spotlight to Rashee Rice and rookie first-round pick Xavier Worthy. Kelce should have a more robust role other weeks this season, and he'll aim to make good on that possibility against the Bengals in Week 2.

Analysis

What looked like a nifty trick play turned out to be a comical and fortuitous accident, as Patrick Mahomes threw a behind-the-back screen pass to Kelce that was later clarified as Kelce running the wrong route and Mahomes throwing behind the back out of momentary necessity. Either way, it's more of the same story from the past six years -- Mahomes and Kelce dominating, be it by accident or design. Particularly with the downfield speed of Marquise Brown (shoulder) and Xavier Worthy spreading defenses thin, Kelce should see a lot of targets in 2024.

Analysis

Kelce was out there with the rest of the Chiefs' first-team offense on the opening possession and on the receiving end of Patrick Mahomes' third and final completion of the night. The perennial Pro Bowl tight end doesn't realistically need many preseason reps, but he could see at least a couple of additional possessions in Kansas City's second preseason game next Saturday afternoon against the Lions.

Analysis

The exact terms of Kelce's new extension have yet to be disclosed, but coming off another Super Bowl title and heading into his age-35 season, Kelce's pay rate will top his position. The four-time All-Pro had logged seven consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards before being held to a 93-984-5 receiving line in 2023, but in Kansas City's four postseason contests he operated in prime form, scoring three touchdowns while never falling below 70 receiving yards. The Chiefs added veteran wideout Marquise Brown (heel) and rookie first-round pick Xavier Worthy this offseason, and both players are capable of taking the top off opposing defenses, which could open things up for Kelce during the 2024 campaign. Those additions may also foreshadow a more aggressive offensive game plan led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.