The Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2025 season facing a complex challenge involving veteran leadership, player performance, and roster adjustments. Central to this scenario is tight end Travis Kelce, whose on-field production has declined even as his influence and celebrity remain significant.

Kelce, who will turn 36 on Oct. 5, is widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. He has been a key target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a favorite of head coach Andy Reid, and a leader within the Chiefs organization. Despite this, his recent performance metrics indicate a natural decline.

Last season, Pro Football Focus graded Kelce at 71.7, the lowest of his career, with career-low averages in yards per reception (8.5) and yards per route run (1.49). He finished with 823 receiving yards, marking his fewest since his second NFL season.

While Kelce remains integral to Kansas City’s offense, his efficiency has decreased. Through the first four games of 2025, he ranks near the top in receptions, yards, and targets among tight ends, but his passer rating when targeted is 18th and his average depth of target ranks 24th. These numbers reflect both age-related limitations and adjustments by opposing defenses.

Evaluating context and team strategy

Kelce’s statistical decline has generated debate among fans and analysts, but context is essential. Injuries and suspensions have limited the Chiefs’ offensive consistency. Wide receiver Rashee Rice, temporarily Mahomes’ top target, is serving a suspension, while Xavier Worthy missed time with a dislocated shoulder.

These absences required Kansas City to distribute the ball more broadly, reducing Kelce’s opportunities for production. When fully healthy, with Mahomes, Rice, and Worthy in the lineup, Kelce’s impact is expected to improve.

Historical comparison offers additional perspective. Tony Gonzalez, considered one of the best tight ends of all time, concluded his career with production similar to Kelce’s recent totals. Age-related decline is a natural phase for all long-tenured players.

Public attention and Kelce’s engagement to pop star Taylor Swift have amplified scrutiny, but his performance remains largely consistent with the expected trajectory for a 36-year-old tight end.

Chiefs personnel and NFL executives emphasize Kelce’s enduring value. While he may not carry the offense as he once did, his experience, leadership, and understanding of Reid’s system remain critical. Reducing his target volume strategically allows him to contribute effectively while minimizing the impact of physical decline.

The Chiefs’ adaptability has long defined their success. Despite early-season losses and inconsistent performances, Kansas City has adjusted its offensive scheme to accommodate absences and injuries. Mahomes’ ability to distribute passes to multiple receivers demonstrates the team’s strategic flexibility.

Kelce’s role exemplifies the balance teams must manage with aging superstars: preserving on-field effectiveness while leveraging leadership and experience. His contributions, though altered, remain vital to Kansas City’s aspirations.

The 2025 season will test the team’s ability to integrate veteran leadership with emerging talent, navigate roster challenges, and maintain championship-level performance. The outcome will determine whether the Chiefs’ dynastic run continues or enters a transitional phase.