It was a hard 2024 NFL season for Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end. He ended up with career-lows of 823 yards and only three touchdowns. Then he proved his consistency by catching 97 passes. This remarkable total ranks fourth highest of his career. As he approaches his 36th birthday in October 2025, the Chiefs remain optimistic about Kelce’s performance in the upcoming season.
In 2024, Kelce was fifth in tight end yardage. This ranking serves as a testament to his true longevity, despite other categories in the advanced and statistical realms taking a dive. Historically, he has played a high percentage of snaps for the Chiefs, and Coach Andy Reid has indicated that he does not plan to reduce Kelce’s playing time, suggesting that he still sees value in the veteran player’s contributions.
Following the Chiefs’ crushing Super Bowl LIX defeat, Kelce spent a few weeks considering his options in life away from the game. Ultimately, that graphic influenced him to go all-in with his offseason workout plan, taking a more serious and focused approach than the year prior. This commitment continues to reflect his desire to remain an important player for the Chiefs long-term. Even with discussions about redistributing some of the receiving duties, he’s willing to answer the call.
Brett Veach, the Chiefs’ general manager, implied that the team was looking at Kelce’s performance from a different angle.
“We’ve all seen it over the last few years,” – Brett Veach.
He told me that even he, as a player, found himself wondering if certain guys would make it through the season and continue to be effective.
“There are periods throughout the season where you’re like, ‘This might be it,’” – Brett Veach.
Veach said he was confident the 2013 sixth-round pick would step up in crucial moments.
“But when the games are the most important and the lights are the brightest, he finds it somewhere,” – Brett Veach.
He called out the breed of elite players, such as Kelce, as those with an innate ability to dig deeper.
“The great ones know how to find it,” – Brett Veach. “They know where it’s buried, and they know how to access it,” – Brett Veach.
Kelce is also scheduled to make his final year of a two-year, $34.25 million contract extension that he signed last season. The expectations for him are through the roof. He has led the team in receptions and receiving yards for three consecutive years. Veach’s streak might just come to an end in 2025, as the Chiefs look to add more variety to their offensive attack.
In addition to Kelce’s individual aspirations, he will be motivated by a desire to help his team secure another Super Bowl title after falling short in 2024. His all-vintage performances through the middle of last season are a reminder of the incredible player he still can be. He often came off as just pedestrian at other times. The Chiefs will no doubt look to build off this combination of experience and fresh, young talent as they head into training camp ahead of the new season.
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