The Kansas City Chiefs remain hopeful that tight end Travis Kelce will once again shine in the playoffs, even as the team’s offensive focus has started to shift. Despite young players like Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Noah Gray stepping up, Kelce’s leadership and impact are still essential.

Although the 35-year-old tight end saw his role reduced during the regular season, Kelce remains upbeat. “I’m happy with my role right now,” he said after sitting out the Chiefs’ final regular-season game to prepare for the playoffs. “I’m out here helping this team win football games. We got a lot of good tight ends. We got a lot of wide receivers that are getting open, that are doing great things with the football. Pat [Mahomes] is playing at his best going into the playoffs, so it’s a year a little bit different than others, but it’s still a blast coming in every single day.”

Kelce’s 2023 campaign was far from his most productive, with 97 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns—his lowest totals in all three categories. Yet, he continued to deliver in key moments, including a 14-catch performance against the Buccaneers that helped stabilize the offense during an injury-plagued stretch.

Passing game coordinator Joe Bleymaier praised Kelce’s contributions. “He makes huge plays in the biggest moments, comes through when it matters most, and does a lot of the unseen, unwritten stuff that often goes unnoticed but helps make plays happen for everyone else. He teaches the young guys, he brings our culture and just how we play and how we operate along for all the new guys that are new in the building,” Bleymaier said.

“I would say a typical Trav season, even if the stats might indicate a little bit less so.”

Kelce also became a milestone-maker this season, recording his 1,000th career reception and breaking the Chiefs’ franchise record for touchdown catches with his 77th career score. He celebrated the achievement with a tribute to Chiefs legend Tony Gonzalez, attempting Gonzalez’s signature goalpost dunk—earning an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the process.

Kansas City finished the regular season 15-2, clinching the AFC’s top playoff seed for the third consecutive year. Kelce sat out the final game, a 38-0 loss to the Broncos, as the Chiefs rested starters in preparation for another deep playoff run.

Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy emphasized the importance of Kelce’s rest. “I remember it kind of sparking him a little bit, physically [and] mentally,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. “That kind of gave him a jump. … I remember him just having just a little extra. It’s critical when you can get to that point. He’s been doing this a long time. He has got more reps than most people in this league. So when you can take advantage of that and get these types of games where you get a bye week for him, it’s massive,” Nagy said.

Kelce proved that last season, tallying 32 receptions and three touchdowns in four playoff games. The Chiefs hope for a similar output this year as they aim to defend their Super Bowl title.

For Kelce, this season has been unique, but the team’s chemistry has made it special. “I could look back on a lot of the teams that we had success on and those were the most fun teams to be on,” he said. “You could feel it in the building. And right now, it is such a blast coming in and going to work with the guys that we have. It is more unique and more different than any year I’ve ever been a part of because of the way we’ve won and how we’ve had to keep focusing on getting better, knowing we were coming away with wins.

“It’s just the chemistry is at an all-time high right now, and I’m excited that we’ve found a way to get the No. 1 seed and we’re going into the playoffs playing our best football.”

Mahomes also credited Kelce for his leadership and historic career. “He’s done so much for this organization, and I know winning another ring means more to him than anything,” Mahomes said.