The Kansas City Chiefs are rolling at 10-1, fresh off a solid win against the Carolina Panthers. But amidst the celebrations, there’s a whisper in the wind – could this be Travis Kelce’s last dance?
Kelce, a future Hall of Famer, just turned 35. And while he’s still a force on the field, Father Time remains undefeated. This season, we’ve seen some inconsistency in his play, yet he’s on pace to log more snaps than he has in recent years. That’s a bit of a head-scratcher, especially considering he’s currently sitting at 57 snaps per game, which would put him at a whopping 976 by the end of the regular season.
Now, here’s the thing: Kelce’s production has taken a dip. He’s snagged 68 receptions for 569 yards and two touchdowns. To put that in perspective, between 2015 and 2017, he was racking up 86, 90, and 87 yards per game, respectively, and breaking the 1,000-yard mark each season. Could this be a sign that the years of hard-hitting football are catching up to him?
There are a few more clues that point towards a potential retirement. We’ve seen Kelce increasingly pop up in commercials and even dip his toes into acting. It’s almost as if he’s preparing for life after football.
Interestingly, the Chiefs seem to be preparing for this possibility too. While Kelce still leads the team in receiving yards, Noah Gray has seen a significant increase in playing time. Gray’s already surpassed his career highs in targets and receptions, and he’s on track to shatter his previous best in receiving yards. He even outperformed Kelce in their recent game against the Panthers, racking up 66 yards compared to Kelce’s 62.
It seems like the Chiefs are subtly grooming Gray to step into Kelce’s shoes. And for Kelce, seeing Gray build that connection with Mahomes might just give him the peace of mind to hang up his cleats.
At the end of the day, Kelce’s health is what matters most. Walking away after a Super Bowl victory and another strong season would be a fitting end to a legendary career. For a tight end, 35 is often the time to call it a day, and Kelce might be ready to join the ranks of retired greats.
