A week after the crushing 40-22 victory of the Philadelphia Eagles against the Kansas City Chiefs the parade in the city of Philadelphia had a sad event where a guy shot against two women, the good thing is that both are stable, it did not happen to major and the police already arrested the 28-year-old male suspect. Other than that in Philadelphia everything is happy while with the Chiefs there are many doubts for the next season due to the bad play of the team in the Super Bowl and the biggest without a doubt is the future of Travis Kelce who at age 35, Kelce is coming off his worst season in yards and touchdowns since his rookie year.
Kelce, the longest-tenured player on the Chiefs roster, has been a cornerstone of the team since being drafted 63rd overall in 2013. Over 12 seasons, he has appeared in 175 games and cemented himself as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history and the best in the playoffs. However, age is starting to catch up with him. This season, he appeared slower, lacked his usual explosiveness, and didn’t have the game-changing moments that once made him indispensable. With one year left on his contract, which includes $17.5 million in total salary and $11.5 million in roster bonuses, the Chiefs must weigh whether keeping him is worth the financial investment.
Everyone Wants to Advise Kelce
NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe recently weighed in on Kelce’s situation, advising him to take control of his future instead of letting the organization dictate his next move. Sharpe pointed to legends like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Jerry Rice-players who changed teams late in their careers. “Tom Brady won six Super Bowls and ended up in Tampa. Peyton Manning had four MVPs, two Super Bowl appearances, one Super Bowl MVP and finished in Denver. Jerry Rice…I don’t have to go anymore,” Sharpe said on his podcast with Ochocinco. “Understand the business and how it works. Do what is in your best interest.” While Sharpe’s comparisons make sense in terms of career longevity, Kelce’s situation is different – unlike Brady and Manning, who in their last moments left after early playoff exits, Kelce’s last game was the Super Bowl loss. It must be very difficult for him to process that his last game in such a successful career is a defeat in the most important game, for which he surely wants to return.
Despite his decline in production, Kelce’s legacy is undeniable. He holds the NFL record for most receptions and playoff receiving touchdowns by a reciever. He currently ranks 14th on the all-time receptions list with 1,004 career catches. If he returns for one more season, he has a good chance of cracking the top 10 and joining legends Marvin Harrison and Larry Fitzgerald as the only players in this elite group to spend their entire careers with one team. These milestones could play a role in his decision to continue playing.
Kelce Has Time to Think on his NFL Future
With free agency looming on March 12, Kelce has an important decision to make. For now, his best move is to take a step back, evaluate his options and seek advice from those closest to him – including, of course, Taylor Swift. While Chiefs head coach Andy Reid believes Kelce has the potential to be a great coach, it seems more likely that he’ll pursue entertainment opportunities instead. With past hosting gigs and an upcoming role in Happy Gilmore 2, Kelce’s post-NFL future could be just as high-profile as his playing career-whether it’s on the field or the big screen.
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