The Kansas City Chiefs opened the 2025 NFL season with back-to-back losses for the first time in more than a decade, and Travis Kelce has been at the center of the struggles as the veteran tight end struggles with age.
For two weeks in a row, the future Pro Hall of Famer has been on the wrong side of pivotal plays, raising questions about expectations at this stage of his career as he prepares for retirement from football.
Arrowhead Stadium watched another frustrating chapter unfold in Week 2 as Kansas City fell to 20-17 the Philadelphia Eagles, despite Patrick Mahomes‘ own individual brilliance.
The defeat followed a flat opener against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil and in both games, Kelce was unfortunately involved in breakdowns that shifted momentum against his team.
In the opener in Sao Paulo, the 35-year-old collided with Xavier Worthy and left the Chief’s receiver in a crumpled heap on the floor with a dislocated shoulders, something Travis accepted responsibility for.
He later explained on his podcast that he was supposed to run his route “at depth” to free the young speedster up but was instead, jammed at the line by the safety, leading to the collision.
It was an unfortunate, but forgivable, moment and it was one that he somewhat made up for when he hauled in a 37-yard touchdown on just his second reception of the night to bring the Chiefs back into contention.
However, a week later? It his error was far less forgivable. Kelce again found himself in a decisive moment as early in the fourth quarter on second-and-goal, he positioned himself well against Reed Blankenship.
Mahomes backed the matchup and threw before the break to his most-trusted target, but the veteran reacted late, popped the ball into the air, and Andrew Mukuba intercepted for the visitors at the Arrowhead.
Philadelphia capitalized with a grinding, 10-play touchdown drive that drained over five minutes and effectively sealed the outcome after Kelce‘s mistake took the chance away from Kansas City to take a 16-13 lead.
Travis Kelce is too old to take the lead for the Kansas City Chiefs
These are uncharacteristic mistakes for a player long celebrated as one of the NFL’s most dependable tight ends, but Kelce, who turns 36 in October, is navigating the inevitable reality of physical decline.
Last season already showed hints of regression as his yards per target fell by nearly two yards compared with 2023, which had itself been a career low and sparked fears he might be over the proverbial hill.
Through two games this season, Kelce has been targeted 10 times, leading the team. And whilst his yardage is very impressive (108 yards) on his six receptions, he has struggled to consistently separate or create space for others.
Whilst there are flashes of brilliance such as his TD vs the Chargers and he continues to work hard for his fellow colleagues, walling off defenders to spring teammates like Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco, consistency is a challenge.
The Chiefs now face a crossroads. If Kelce is asked to remain the focal point of the passing attack, defenses will continue to exploit his reduced explosiveness and could leave the team struggling for big points.
Whilst if he transitions into more of a facilitator role, Kansas City must find other playmakers to carry the offensive load – which they will expect to do when Rashee Rice returns from suspension and Worthy from injury.
Kelce‘s résumé ensures his legacy is secure, but the present demands realism. The Chiefs must recalibrate how they use their iconic tight end, or risk watching the season slip away while leaning too heavily on a player no longer able to bear the entire burden.
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