The 2024 season was one to forget for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, not because of his regular-season stats, but also for how the year ended with the Super Bowl defeat.
Kelce finished the regular season with his lowest yards (823) and touchdown (three) totals since his rookie year, as he seemed to struggle more than we have ever seen him do.
Then, in the 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, Kelce had just four catches for 39 yards in another poor performance.
And Travis, as minicamp gets underway, was honest about his shortcomings last season.
“To be the best teammate, be the best leader I can,” Kelce said on his expectations for 2025. “Last year, I think I failed especially in that last game, being a leader and being the one that could step up and make plays. So, just setting the bar even higher for myself this year than I have in the past.”
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Kelce added that the retirement rumors are premature.
“I got one year on this contract,” he said. “I know that. We’ll try and figure out something for next year. The Chiefs organization knows how much I love them. I can’t see myself ever playing anywhere else.”
More Kelce?
Granted, over 800 yards for a tight end is nothing to sneeze at, but given that it is Kelce, and he has had an incredibly high standard of play for over a decade, it is jarring when he doesn't play up to it.
But it is a new year, and 2024 is firmly behind Travis as he enters his 13th NFL season looking to bounce back from a down year and be the leader and teammate he knows he can be.
And if the Chiefs are to make something of this upcoming season, and who knows, even win the Super Bowl, then we think Kelce will have a significant role to play in the franchise achieving it.
But to be "that" guy again, it all starts in the offseason, and Kelce is already turning over every stone to be a better version of himself. … maybe for more than just one season.