For the second time since the two started dating, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift will be a part of the upcoming Super Bowl. After going 15-2 in the regular season, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills to the third Super Bowl in as many seasons. While star quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the primary catalyst for this success, they wouldn’t be in this situation without Kelce. Unfortunately for Kansas City, this could be the last time the tight end suits up in his professional career.
While Kelce still made the Pro Bowl last year, anyone who watched his tape knows he’s slowing down. Playing in his age-35 season, Kelce finished the year with 97 receptions for 823 years and three touchdowns. While he saw plenty of targets due to Kansas City’s questionable wide receivers, his yardage was the lowest since 2014 and his three touchdowns were the fewest of his career. Additionally, while he looked like his old self against the Houston Texans, he only recorded two receptions for 19 yards against the Buffalo Bills.
Travis Kelce Could Retire After Super Bowl, Spend More Time With Taylor Swift
Travis Kelce hinted at retirement earlier in the season, and nobody would blame him for wanting to spend his late 30s with pop superstar Taylor Swift. Even from a football standpoint, the Chiefs might not want him back. Pro Football Network recently named Kelce a potential cut candidate, and while it’s hard to envision Kansas City unceremoniously parting ways with one of the greatest players in franchise history, the fact is he has a $19.8 million cap hit and no guarantees left on his contract.
While the team will have financial incentives to part ways with their star tight end, it’s still difficult to imagine Kansas City cutting him. Chances are, the team will come to terms on a reworked contract if Kelce wants to play for another season. The only question is whether he wants to come back. From a professional standpoint, Kelce has already accomplished just about everything you can on the football field. He’s a nine-time Pro Bowler, four-time First-Team All-Pro, and in the conversation for the greatest tight end to ever walk the planet.
The only thing left to do is win another Super Bowl. Travis Kelce already has three championships and won one with Taylor Swift in attendance. However, he might call it a career if he can win another against the Philadelphia Eagles. Based on his comments in December, retirement is on his mind, and who doesn’t want to go out on top with a win on the game’s biggest stage?
Potential Replacements
There is only one Travis Kelce, and nobody can replace his production on the field. However, Kansas City must try and find another tight end. Noah Gray is a fine depth option, but he’s not the type of player who deserved 75 targets in a season. Unfortunately, it’s a weak free agent class, as Juwan Johnson is probably the best receiving tight end scheduled to reach the open market.
With this in mind, Kansas City could turn to the NFL Draft. While Penn State’s Tyler Warren will probably be off the board before the Chiefs are on the clock, the team could target someone like Michigan’s Colston Loveland.
Main Photo: Mark J. Rebilas – Imagn Images
