Travis Kelce, the standout tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, is drawing significant attention this offseason as he approaches the final year of his contract, which runs through the 2025 season. Fans and analysts alike are curious about his availability and impact during the Chiefs preseason, particularly in their opener against the Arizona Cardinals.
Kelce is set to participate in the Week 1 preseason matchup on Saturday, but officials expect him to be limited in his playing time. This approach aims to balance preparing the team with keeping key players healthy for the regular season. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid emphasized that starters, including Kelce, will see some action to assess their readiness.
“I’m gonna play everybody,” Reid said. “All those young guys, I’d love to see how they compete. The higher draft picks are gonna be in there (against) a little bit better competition, so I want to see how they handle that.” —Andy Reid, Chiefs Head Coach
Reid’s plan includes giving younger players the chance to compete against stronger opponents while managing the workload of veterans like Kelce. It’s probable that the star tight end and other starters will see limited reps against the Cardinals to ensure they remain fresh.
Following the game against Arizona, the Chiefs will face the Seattle Seahawks on August 15 and the Chicago Bears on August 22 for the next two preseason contests. Whether Kelce will take the field in these subsequent games remains to be seen.
How to View the Chiefs vs. Cardinals Preseason Matchup
The Chiefs and Cardinals preseason game begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday. Viewers in Phoenix can watch the game on NBC, channel 5, while fans in Kansas City can catch the broadcast on CBS, channel 41.
Key information for the game includes:
- Date: Saturday, August 9
- Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
- Broadcast: NBC (Channel 5) in Phoenix; CBS (Channel 41) in Kansas City
What This Means for the Chiefs Season Ahead
Travis Kelce’s expected limited role in the preseason opener signals a cautious but optimistic approach by the Chiefs to keep their star players healthy and prepared for the regular season. Coach Andy Reid’s decision to involve starters selectively allows the team to evaluate young talent and maintain overall squad fitness.
As the preseason progresses, close attention will be paid to Kelce’s minutes on the field, which could offer insight into his physical condition and readiness. How Kelce and the Chiefs navigate this preseason will be crucial as they aim to build momentum toward a successful regular season and playoff run.