‘He’s Clearly His Age’: Mina Kimes Drops Blunt Reality Check on Chiefs’ Star Tight End 1
Travis Kelce is entering another NFL season at 36, with questions growing around his current level of play. The Kansas City Chiefs still view him as an important part of the offense, but his recent numbers suggest he may no longer be the same dominant player he once was.
His production, personal life and long-term role have all become part of the wider discussion surrounding his future in Kansas City.
Travis Kelce enters the season with questions about his age
ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes recently discussed Travis Kelce’s current form and whether his age is starting to affect his game. Kelce is still an important part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense, but his production is not what it was during the best years of his career. As he approaches 37, his age has become a bigger part of the discussion around his performance.
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May 23, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Travis Kelce reacts during second quarter between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers during game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Kelce played all 17 games during the 2025 regular season and finished with 76 receptions, 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He remained one of the Chiefs’ primary targets, but his numbers were below the level he reached during his prime. The Chiefs also had a difficult season, finishing with a 6–11 record. Kelce has not had a 1,000-yard receiving season since 2020, although he remains an important part of the passing game.
Kimes was direct when she spoke about Kelce’s current level. She said, “He is clearly his age, and it shows he is not peak Travis Kelce anymore. It’s a little bit of a bummer that people will watch that and associate it with the fact that he’s married to a pop star and not that he’s 37.” Kimes’ point was that Kelce’s age should be part of the discussion when looking at his recent performances, rather than people blaming changes in his game on his personal life.
Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift has put even more attention on his life away from football. The two started dating in 2023 after Swift attended a Chiefs game following Kelce’s attempt to meet her earlier that year. Their relationship quickly became a frequent topic of discussion around the NFL, with Swift attending several of his games during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The couple announced their engagement in August 2025 and later married in July 2026.
Because of that public attention, discussions about Kelce often extend beyond football. That is also what Kimes was referring to in her comments. Her point was not that Swift was responsible for his statistical decline. Instead, she argued that his age is the more obvious factor when comparing his current performances with what he produced earlier in his career.
Even with the drop in production, Kelce still has a role to play for the Chiefs. His experience and understanding of the offense remain valuable. He may not be the same player he was during his prime, but the team can still rely on him to make plays and provide leadership in important situations.
Andy Reid praised Travis Kelce’s work ethic despite being the ‘oldest guy’ on the team
Travis Kelce will return for the 2026 season after questions about whether he would continue his NFL career. He took part in the Chiefs’ offseason program and training camp before preparing for another regular season. The decision keeps him with a Chiefs offense led by Patrick Mahomes, with whom he has played throughout his Kansas City career.
The 2026 offseason also gave the Chiefs more time to work with their receiving group. Xavier Worthy remains one of the team’s younger offensive weapons, while other receivers and tight ends also took part in offseason workouts and training camp. Kelce’s experience gives the offense a player who already knows the system, the coaching staff and how Mahomes operates on the field.
When the Chiefs finished training camp in August, Andy Reid praised Kelce’s work ethic and the effort he continued to show during practice. Reid said the coaching staff sometimes had to remove him from a session because he was working for so long without taking a break.
Reid said, “You have examples like Kelce—he’s the oldest guy on the team and came out every day and worked to where you had to yank him out of there to give him a breather.”
Kelce has also remained involved with younger players during the team’s preparations for the 2026 season. Reid has previously described him as a player who shares his energy with younger teammates and is willing to guide them. He continues to play an important leadership role within the team.
The Chiefs are scheduled to open the 2026 regular season against the Denver Broncos on September 14. Mahomes is expected to be available for the opener, while Kelce is set to begin another season as part of the team’s offensive group.
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