Travis Kelce and Andy Reid have been via all of it collectively throughout their time with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Forward of what could be the all-time nice tight finish’s last dwelling at Arrowhead Stadium, Reid saluted Kelce for the work he is put in with the franchise and the Kansas Metropolis neighborhood.
“I don’t know whether it is or not. I haven’t talked to him,” the Chiefs coach advised reporters when requested if Thursday’s recreation towards the Denver Broncos would be the final time Kelce takes the sphere at Arrowhead Stadium. “However I feel his numbers and persona and the individual, you recognize, I feel communicate for themselves. Phenomenal individual, nice for the neighborhood, has been nice for the neighborhood. He’s all the pieces you need from a participant represented in a corporation.”
Kelce, 36, overtly flirted with retirement following the Chiefs’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Tremendous Bowl LIX final season, however he dedicated to play for the 2025 season only a few weeks later. However the retirement rumors have persevered this season, with the Chiefs slipping to 6-9 and Kelce set to overlook the playoffs for the primary time since his second 12 months within the league (2014).
Kelce has stated that his determination can 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 but in addition their future with out him.
For now, although, Kelce is concentrated on closing the season out.
“I would slightly simply maintain the deal with this staff proper now,” Kelce stated final week, “and all of the conversations I’ve with the staff and all the pieces shifting ahead can be with them. And I feel it is a distinctive time in my life, and sadly I do know when the season ends this 12 months. Usually we go into it and we do not know when it should finish.”
Kelce’s had a heck of a last season, if that seems to be the case. 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-yard receiving mark in 12 consecutive seasons. Kelce additionally has 5 landing receptions, matching probably the most he is had previously three seasons. He was named a Professional Bowler for the eleventh straight season on Tuesday, receiving probably the most fan votes this 12 months.
And whereas Kelce may have shut it down after the Chiefs had been eradicated from postseason rivalry for the primary time since his first full season within the NFL, he has continued to take the sphere day by day. He had a single catch for six yards in final week’s 26-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans, but it surely pushed his streak — the longest lively one within the league — to 189 video games with not less than one reception.
It did not 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 night time towards Denver.
“I’ll say this: What [Kelce] goes via even these final couple video games — we’re out of the playoffs, we’re out, and he is on the market day by day, working towards, main, serving to individuals out,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy advised reporters earlier this week. “That ought to present a number of these youthful guys why he is enjoying this recreation, and why he’s so particular.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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