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An NFL scout has issued a damning assessment of Travis Kelce ahead of the new season.
The Kansas City Chiefs will be aiming to win the Super Bowl for the first time since 2024 following a disastrous campaign last season.
The Chiefs finished 6-11, third in the AFC West and missed out on the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era.
It could be another difficult season given star quarterback Mahomes isn't fully fit, having undergone knee surgery, emphasising concerns about Kelce, who is entering the 14th season of his legendary NFL career.
But one NFL advance scout doesn't have high hopes for the 11-time Pro Bowl winner.
Travis Kelce is 'Done', According to NFL Scout
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
One NFL advance scout believes Kelce is 'done', as quoted by Jason La Canfora in a report published on Tuesday.
"Kelce is done," said La Canfora. "That’s over. What you saw last year – that’s what he is."
NFL insider La Canfora added that Kelce, who got married to pop star Taylor Swift on July 3 at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City, is past his prime and potentially finished as a difference-maker.
NFL analyst Brian Baldinger also weighed in and offered a similar assessment on the Chiefs' passing game as a whole.
"I don't think they're a great offence, Jason, I really don't," he told La Canfora, who replied: "They don't look like it to me. They haven't done enough."
Travis Kelce and Andy Reid celebrate a Super Bowl victory
Travis Kelce and Andy Reid celebrate Super Bowl
Chiefs coach Andy Reid shared his thoughts on Kelce ahead of the new season and jumped to the defence of the 36-year-old, addressing claims that the star player has returned to training camp sporting a dad bod after tying the know with Swift last month.
"He came back in good shape," he told NFL Network. "I know everybody’s out there saying he’s got the dad body and all this stuff, but he looks the same to me that he’s always looked, and just playing like crazy. So he’s doing a nice job with everything."
Reid also hailed Kelce's drive on the pitch and claimed he has been 'playing like crazy' during early training camp sessions.
"He's focused in and ready to go," he added. "When you have somebody that's been here 14 years and wants to be out there every snap... where he's gonna play hard and aggressive, that's contagious."
Despite the Chiefs having a down year and missing the playoffs, Kelce, who contemplated retirement in the offseason, delivered a productive campaign, having played in all 17 games, recording 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns.