On the sideline during Super Bowl 59, Kansas City Chiefs teammates Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes shared a moment. Rumors of retirement have been swirling around Kelce. He’s 35 years old now and slowly declining.
Kelce had seven straight seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards until last season, when he fell short by 16 yards. This season, he failed to even reach 900 yards. His production is not on the level that fans have been accustomed to seeing so often. Kelce’s brother Jason retired last offseason and this offseason Travis said on their podcast that he didn’t know what his future held.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce’s Potential Goodbye
Mahomes and Kelce expressed their gratitude for each other on the sideline as they were suffering a crushing Super Bowl loss. This interaction made it look like a real possibility that this marked the end of an era for Kelce.
“I love you, brother,” said Mahomes as he approached and hugged Kelce.
Mahomes might know something that the rest of the world doesn’t. Kelce’s response hinted even further that this might be it for Kelce in the NFL.
“Forever, dawg. I love you man. I owe you a lot for what you’ve done,” responded Kelce.
The end of an era?
— PFSN (@PFN365) February 13, 2025
Kelce’s statement sounds like someone who might be hanging up the cleats. He has 1,004 receptions, 12,151 receiving yards, and 79 touchdowns in his career. He is a four-time first-team All-Pro and a 10-time Pro Bowler. He will surely be seeing himself in Canton one day in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as one of the best tight ends to play the game.
He is set to make around $17 million next year and would be leaving that on the table in favor of retirement. It will be a waiting game until Kelce makes his decision.
A Historic Duo: Mahomes and Kelce
If Kelce decides it’s time for him to retire, his accomplishments with Mahomes will not be forgotten. Mahomes and Kelce are one of the most productive duos in NFL history. They reached five Super Bowls together, winning three of them. Kelce’s best seasons have come with Mahomes quarterbacking the Kansas City offense.
Mahomes took full control of the reigns of the Kansas City offense in 2018 after only one start in 2017. Mahomes and Kelce have run rampant over NFL defenses from the first day they played together. Kelce has made the Pro Bowl in every season that he has played with Mahomes. If counting stats aren’t enough to show how prolific this duo is, their achievements speak for themselves.
Mahomes and Kelce have an innate understanding of each other. Mahomes always knows where Kelce is on the field, and Kelce knows where to pick spots for Mahomes to find him. When Kelce hangs it up officially, whether this season or in the future, watching Mahomes and Kelce destroy defenses will be sorely missed by NFL fans.