Why Travis Kelce’s NFL career could be coming to an end, and what do Chiefs do next

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News of the potential end of a legendary career is the last thing Chiefs fans want to hear.

In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce revealed that retiring is something he considers “more than anyone could ever imagine”.

Kelce is 34 and currently playing in his 11th season, all with the Kansas City Chiefs.

His career has been nothing short of spectacular, reaching new heights, no pun intended at the tight end position.

He holds eight NFL records for tight ends including the most consecutive 1,000-plus-yard seasons (seven straight) and the most single-season receiving yards (1,416 in 2020).

In the Monday night loss to the Philadelphia Eagles (21-17), Kelce caught his 74th career touchdown pass, drawing even with former Dallas Cowboy Jason Witten for fifth all-time in NFL history.

For now, he’s just one behind Jimmy Graham for fourth in that category, with Rob Gronkowski (92), former Chiefs great Tony Gonzalez (111), and Antonio Gates being the others ahead of Kelce.

Since becoming a starter in the Chiefs lineup in 2014, Kelce’s been an ironman, missing just four out of 155 games.

However, he’s undergone nearly a dozen surgeries, which seem to be taking their toll.

“That’s the only thing I’ve never really been open about,” said Kelce. “The pain. The lingering injuries – the 10 surgeries I’ve had that I still feel every single surgery to this day.”

What losing Kelce could mean

To this stage of the 2023 season, Kelce has been the only dependable and consistent pass-catcher for Patrick Mahomes.

Although his production has decreased over the past couple of weeks, he’s far and away the best weapon they have offensively.

Kelce leads the team in receiving yards while making nearly twice as many catches as their number two pass-catcher Rashee Rice.

With all of the inconsistencies from the Chiefs in the receiving department, Kelce has kept them going.

Back in June, during a minicamp, Kelce was asked about the possibility of retiring.

“Until the wheels fall off, baby. ““I love this game, and I know I’m going to miss it when I’m done playing.

“But right now, I’m in this building wanting to win football games, man.”

On paper, Kelce’s loss would not only be crippling to the Kansas City

receiving game, but it may also put a damper on their hopes of creating a championship dynasty.

He holds the NFL postseason record for receiving TDs (16) and receptions (133), so he doesn’t get overwhelmed in big moments; in fact, quite the contrary.

Short term solutions?

There comes a point in every player’s career where they must consider retiring, and if Kelce utters that dreaded word, coach Andy Reid will have to find a solution.

In 2024, two tight ends could be free agents: the Texans’ Dalton Schultz and the Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson.

If they were to do a like-for-like, that’d probably make more sense than going to their other tight ends.

Noah Gray and Blake Bell don’t seem like ideal players who can fill the void left by Kelce.

That said, there probably isn’t anyone who can replace Travis Kelce.