Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce addressed speculation about his future following his team’s Super Bowl LIX loss.
Kelce more or less confirmed in the latest episode of his “New Heights” podcast that he will consider retirement, but is not ready to make that decision right now. The tight end added that he owes it to his teammates to fully commit if he does come back for another season.
“Right now, I’m just kicking every can I can down the road. I’m not making any crazy decisions, but right now, the biggest thing is just being there for my teammates and being there for my coaches, understanding that there’s a lot that goes into this thing,” Kelce said. “I’ve been fortunate over the past five, six years, I’ve played more football than anybody, and it’s because of the people that are in that building. The fact that we keep going to these AFC Championships and these Super Bowls means I’m playing an extra three games more than everybody else in the entire league. That’s a lot of wear and tear on your body, and it’s a lot of time spent in the building focusing on your craft, focusing on the task at hand and every challenge that you set up for yourself. That process can be grueling. It can weigh on you. It can make you better and it can drive you crazy at the same time, and right now, it’s one of those things where it was kind of driving me crazy this year. I think that happens as you tail off towards the back nine of your career.
“As you see yourself or not feel yourself have the same success that you once used to have, it’s a tough pill to swallow. On top of that, to not be there in the biggest moments knowing that your team’s not counting on you, it’s just a tough reality. I’m going to take some time to figure it out. I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back, it’s going to be a whole-hearted decision. I’m not half-a–ing it. I’m fully here for them. I think I could play. It’s just whether or not I’m motivated or it’s the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility.”
Just last week, Kelce sounded like he was already planning to play several more seasons, but he may not have been telling the truth. As he alluded to, his numbers are down significantly this season, as he was limited to 823 yards and three touchdowns. Those are the worst numbers of his career with the exception of his rookie year, in which he only played one game.
Kelce turned 35 last October. He has been able to avoid injuries throughout his career, but the wear and tear on his body is real.
Reports suggested that the outcome of Super Bowl LIX might have an impact on Kelce’s ultimate decision. One has to wonder if he had hoped to go out on top, and his decision has been complicated by the Chiefs’ 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
