Earlier this season, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce talked about contemplating retirement, and given his clearly bright future in media, it’s not surprising.
But could the end for Kelce’s NFL career be sooner than we think?
Nate Taylor of The Kansas City Sports Network discussed Kelce on the Kansas City Chiefs Podcast this week, saying that he thinks 2023 may be the “last great year” for the 34-year-old pass-catcher.
“It was a very jovial locker room,” Taylor said of the Chiefs’ celebration after clinching the AFC West division title last weekend. “Guys are obviously eager to play in the postseason. … In a fair way [Kelce] looks tired. He looked spent, and he didn’t walk with the same gusto or bounce that I’m used to or accustomed to after a win.”
Kelce logged just three catches for 16 yards in Kansas City’s Week 17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, tying his season low for receptions. It was his second-worst yardage total of the year.
“I’m going to advise that Andy Reid give him a week off,” Taylor continued. “I know statistically what that means, but if your goal is to try to be a valiant champion in a repeat attempt, he needs a week off.”
Kelce’s production has declined over the last several weeks, as he has amassed a grand total of 88 receiving yards in his last three games. By contrast, he accumulated 255 yards in the preceding three contests.
On the season overall, Kelce has hauled in 93 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns en route to his ninth straight Pro Bowl selection, so it’s not like he hasn’t been productive as a whole. However, if he doesn’t play in Week 18 (and he may very well not), this will represent the first time since 2015 that Kelce did not post 1,000 yards in a single season.
Let’s face it: Kelce is getting older, and at some point, he is going to start going downhill. It’s entirely possible that we are beginning to see the decline of Travis Kelce.
The Chiefs are 10-6 and will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in their regular-season finale this Sunday. Kansas City has already nailed down the No. 3 seed in the AFC and cannot move up or down in the standing regardless of what it does against the Chargers.
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