KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Travis Kelce has performed 96 regular-season residence video games for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
The subsequent one may be the final.
The 36-year-old Kelce, who was chosen for the Professional Bowl for the eleventh time on Tuesday, might be inside Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday evening for a Christmas showdown with the Denver Broncos.
And with the Chiefs eradicated from playoff rivalry for the primary time in a decade, and a visit to Las Vegas for his or her finale, it may very well be the final time that Kelce walks off his beloved subject.
“What Travis has carried out to this group, to his teammates, his coaches, this metropolis — it’s particular,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy mentioned. “I hope like hell that’s not true. I simply have a lot respect for him.”
Kelce has not but introduced whether or not he’ll retire after a superlative 13-year profession through which he received three Tremendous Bowl rings and was an All-Professional on 4 events. However he has mentioned that his choice might be made shortly after the season ends, giving the Chiefs ample time to not solely put together without spending a dime company and the draft however their future with out him.
“I’d moderately simply maintain the give attention to this group proper now,” Kelce mentioned final week, “and all of the conversations I’ve with the group and all the things transferring ahead might be with them. And I feel it’s a novel time in my life, and sadly I do know when the season ends this 12 months. Sometimes we go into it and we don’t know when it should finish.”
He’s had a heck of a remaining season, if that seems to be the case.
After doubling down on health after the Chiefs have been waylaid by the Eagles within the Tremendous Bowl final February, Kelce has proceeded to play in each recreation throughout a tough season for the group. He has 68 catches for 803 yards, permitting him to hitch Jerry Rice as the one gamers in NFL historical past to eclipse the 800-yards receiving mark in 12 consecutive seasons.
Kelce additionally has 5 landing receptions, matching probably the most he’s had prior to now three seasons.
And whereas Kelce might have shut it down after the Chiefs have been eradicated from postseason rivalry for the primary time since his first full season within the NFL, he has continued to take the sphere each day. He had a single catch for six yards in final week’s 26-9 loss to the Titans, but it surely pushed his streak — the longest energetic one within the league — to 189 video games with a minimum of one reception.
It didn’t assist that backup quarterback Gardner Minshew joined Kelce’s good good friend, Patrick Mahomes, by tearing ligaments in his knee one week after the two-time MVP. Chris Oladokun completed the sport at QB and can begin on Thursday evening in opposition to Denver.
“I’ll say this: What (Kelce) goes by even these final couple video games — we’re out of the playoffs, we’re out, and he’s on the market each day, practising, main, serving to individuals out,” Nagy mentioned. “That ought to present numerous these youthful guys why he’s taking part in this recreation, and why he’s so particular.”
NOTES: Cornerbacks Trent McDuffie (knee), Jaylen Watson (groin) and receivers Nikko Remigio (knee), Rashee Rice (concussion) and Tyquan Thornton (concussion) didn’t apply Tuesday. … The Chiefs have signed quarterback Shane Buechele as Oladokun’s backup for the remainder of the season. TE Noah Grey would function the emergency quarterback.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
To report a correction or typo, please electronic mail digitalnews@ky3.com. Please embody the article information within the topic line of the e-mail.
Copyright 2025 KY3. All rights reserved.
Leave a Reply