After the Kansas City Chiefs fell 40-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX this past February, speculation grew that tight end Travis Kelce might have played his last NFL game. Despite his 35 years, Kelce has an impressive résumé that some believed signaled his career’s twilight, but the veteran player expressed a desire to continue competing and improve his performance in 2025.
Kelce has achieved nearly every milestone a tight end can reach, including three Super Bowl victories, ten Pro Bowl selections, and membership in the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. Additionally, he ranks third in NFL history for receptions and receiving yards among tight ends. Though he acknowledges his recent play fell short of his own expectations, Kelce is motivated to return stronger next season.
I don’t think [the Super Bowl] was my best outing,
Kelce said on his New Heights podcast in March.
…I want to give it a good run. I’ve got a bad taste in my mouth on how I ended the year and how well I was playing and how accountable I was to the people around me. … I don’t want to leave that life yet.
Chiefs’ General Manager Expresses Uncertainty Over Kelce’s Longevity
Despite Kelce’s commitment to bounce back, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has voiced reservations about the tight end’s ability to maintain his past high level of play. Kelce’s 2024 season marked a career low with just 823 receiving yards and three touchdowns, leading to questions about how much longer he can contribute at an elite level.
Speaking with ESPN, Veach acknowledged the mixed signs he’s seen over recent seasons, noting that while there have been moments suggesting Kelce might be reaching the end, the tight end still manages to deliver in critical moments.
We’ve all seen it over the last few years,
Veach said.
There are periods throughout the season where you’re like, ‘This might be it.’ But when the games are the most important and the lights are the brightest, he finds it somewhere.
The great ones know how to find it. They know where it’s buried, and they know how to access it. And they can’t access it at that age week in and week out, but when they need it, they know how to find it.
Veach’s remarks suggest a cautious approach to expectations, reflecting the challenge of predicting the performance of a player with both age and a recent dip in production impacting his future.
Adjusting Expectations for Kelce’s Role in Upcoming Seasons
Earlier in the offseason, Veach further tempered fans’ hopes regarding Kelce’s output, emphasizing that his impact on the offense may no longer be reflected solely in personal statistics. Instead, Kelce’s value might increasingly come from how he enhances the team’s overall performance.
You’ll see Travis have more of an impact,
Veach shared with the Kansas City Star.
Maybe it’s not in production, but it’s the offense (overall), which is much different (than) in the past when it always kind of ran through Kelce.
… The numbers won’t be the same. I mean, you have to acknowledge a certain aspect of that, right? I don’t know if I look at it in terms of, like, expectations for yardage or touchdowns or catches. I think that when he’s on the field now, he makes us better. And I think that he’s also a guy that makes the people around him better.
This perspective highlights a shift in Kelce’s role—from being the focal point of Kansas City’s offense to acting as a key leader and contributor whose presence uplifts teammates and strengthens the game plan.
Implications for the Chiefs and Kelce’s NFL Future
The discussion surrounding Travis Kelce’s NFL future underscores the challenges aging star players face as their physical capabilities evolve. While Kelce remains determined to improve after a disappointing season, the Chiefs’ management balances appreciation for his leadership with realistic assessments of his performance potential in 2025 and beyond.
As one of the most decorated tight ends in NFL history, Kelce’s next season will likely define how much longer he can sustain his impact on the field. The Chiefs’ outlook focuses on maximizing his contributions in a modified role, which may influence their roster decisions and offensive strategies moving forward.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Are Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift still a couple?
A. A source shared with Star Magazine that Taylor and Travis feel overwhelmed by constant pressure and talk about their relationship status. They are currently enjoying their time together after being apart during the Eras tour last year.
Q. How long was Travis Kelce with his ex-girlfriend?
A. Here is some information about Kayla Nicole, who is Travis Kelce’s former girlfriend. They were together for five years before parting ways in 2022. Before dating Taylor Swift, the famous Kansas City Chiefs player was in a relationship with Kayla Nicole, who creates online content.
Q. Is Taylor Swift still with Travis Kelce?
A. The scene was recorded and shared on platforms including X (once known as Twitter), clearly showing she and Kelce are still dating, but not engaged.
Q. How long did Travis Kelce date his ex-girlfriend?
A. Travis Kelce’s former girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, dated the NFL star for five years. They ended their relationship in 2022.