NFL legend Tom Brady built a dynasty with the New England Patriots. He was drafted with the 199th pick in 2000. And during his 20-season stint, Brady won six Super Bowls with the Patriots.
However, even Tom Brady did not finish with the team that rose because of his talents. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of the 2020 season, won another Super Bowl, and then retired in January 2023. Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe used Brady as an example to talk about what lies ahead for Chiefs TE Travis Kelce.
Shannon Sharpe Uses Tom Brady’s Example To Talk About Travis Kelce’s Future
Just like Brady, Kelce is also an important part of Andy Reid’s team. He was drafted by the Chiefs in 2013 and has so far won three Super Bowls with them. However, after 12 seasons, it looks like Kelce now has a decision to make regarding his future.
The Chiefs hoped to three-peat in Super Bowl 59. However, they succumbed to a 40-22 loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles. Kelce was not at the top of his game during the showdown, recording just 39 receiving yards on four catches. Following this disappointing defeat, the rumor mill has been churning about the 35-year-old looking to retire from the game.
On the “Nightcap” podcast, former Super Bowl champ Sharpe said the Chiefs will definitely part ways with Kelce if he becomes a liability. He stated that reports suggest the Chiefs want a decision from the TE in March.
“They’re running a football team,” Sharpe said. “Never lose sight of that. First of all, guess what happens in March? Free agency. … I got to make a decision based on this football team. I can’t let this thing drag out. Remember, that’s what Green Bay got tired of. Brett Favre dragging it out. … Same thing happened with Aaron Rodgers.”
His co-host Chad Johnson tried to counter Sharpe by talking about how Kelce is arguably one of the best tight ends in the game. Sharpe then used Brady’s example as a rebuttal.
“That’s what they are doing here. Free agency. Let me look at some of the tight ends here. … They [Patriots] moved on from Tom Brady. … Tom Brady won six Super Bowls. He finished in Tampa. … Do I need to go anymore?”
Brady’s Former Teammate Believes Kelce Still Has Some Fire Left in Him
On the Tuesday, Feb. 18, episode of “Up & Adams,” Rob Gronkowski weighed in on the Kelce situation. The four-time Super Bowl star believes that the TE still can play at the top of his game for two more seasons.
“I believe he can go another two years,” Gronkowski said. “We’re talking about his stats being down, are you kidding me? How are your stats down if you have 80+ catches at 35 years of age? I think I’ve had only 80+ catches one time in my career and I was 22 years old.”
READ MORE: Gronkowski Makes Feelings Clear on Whether Chiefs Star Kelce Should Retire
It will be interesting to see if Kelce decides to return for another season and potentially aim to win another Super Bowl with the Chiefs before hanging up his cleats.