Mahomes on possibility Kelce retires: ‘Appreciate every time on field with him’
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce turned back the clock on Saturday for another legendary performance.
Seven catches, 117 yards, and -- of course -- a game-sealing 11-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter helped the Chiefs beat the Houston Texans. How much longer the 35-year-old tight end continues suiting up for the Chiefs remains in question to some extent.
Wednesday, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was asked if he’s given any thought to the possibility that Sunday could be the final time he plays with Kelce -- or the final time Kelce plays at Arrowhead Stadium.
“I haven’t,” Mahomes said. “I mean that’s stuff you worry about in the offseason. Regardless, I just appreciate every time I’m on the football field with him and that started whenever I first got here -- I knew how blessed I was to have that guy on my team.
“Every opportunity I get to step on that football field (with Kelce) I appreciate it and hopefully that’s a lot more years, but I’ll appreciate every time I do.”
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Mahomes and Kelce have partnered to become the greatest playoff duo in NFL history and one of the greatest all-time in any situation.
“It makes my job easier as another leader on the team,” Mahomes said of Kelce, who will suit up for his 24th career playoff game on Sunday. “I knew he was going to do what he did in the playoffs because every time the moment gets bigger, he plays better and he will do whatever it takes to win and that’s the type of guy you want on your football team and I’m glad he’s on mine.”
Last week, Kelce appeared on the Stephen A. Smith show and said he would “re-evaluate” things once the offseason arrives.
“I love everything I’m doing in this building but at the end of the day I’m not having that extreme success on the field as I have individually,” Kelce said to Smith. “I’ll re-evaluate it like I always do, and I’ll probably tell myself how much I love this thing, and I’ll come back next year.”
Prior to the 2024 season, Kelce restructured his contract on a two-year deal worth $34.25 million. The extension runs through the 2025 season and would owe him more than $17 million for next year if Kelce decides to return for an age-36 season.
Kelce also told Smith he has the of his girlfriend, superstar musician Taylor Swift, if he wants to return to football in the 2025 season.
The Chiefs-Bills game on Sunday will kick off at 5:30 p.m. CT and can be seen live on KCTV.
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