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The Kansas City Chiefs still have high expectations for 10-time Pro Bowler\u00a0Travis Kelce. They are also \u201cplanning\u201d for life without him.<\/p>\n
Kelce is returning for a 13th NFL season, a decision he said was needed and made early on in the offseason. But ESPN\u2019s Adam Teicher noted the Chiefs are expecting the same caliber of player to take the field. That is especially after his strong showing in the 2025 AFC Divisional Playoffs.<\/p>\n
Teicher also noted the Chiefs\u2019 longer-term vision.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Kelce turning 36 in October, the Chiefs expect that in 2025 he will still be the player they know well,\u201d\u00a0Teicher wrote\u00a0on July 4. \u201cStill, the Chiefs are trying to steer themselves away from needing Kelce the way they have in recent seasons by planning to shift some of the receiving burden to others.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf [Rashee Rice\u00a0and\u00a0Marquise Brown] stay healthy, along with\u00a0[Xavier] Worthy\u00a0and\u00a0[Noah] Gray, Kelce\u2019s streak of leading the Chiefs in catches and yards will likely come to an end at three.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Teicher pointed out that a step back for Kelce would not inherently be disappointing.<\/p>\n
Kelce finished the 2024 season with 97 receptions for 823 yards and 3 touchdowns as\u00a0Patrick Mahomes\u2019 top target. That gives him a 1004-12151-77 line for his career. This season, he could move into the top five all-time in receptions.<\/p>\n
\u201cTravis Kelce is on the back nine of his NFL career and could very well be playing in his final season in 2025. Before he fades off into the sunset, however, he has a chance to further entrench himself into NFL history while helping the Kansas City Chiefs win another Super Bowl,\u201d\u00a0CBS Sports\u2019 Tyler Sullivan\u00a0wrote on July 3.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment, Kelce\u2019s 1,004 career receptions have him ranked 14th on the all-time catch list. Over the last four years, the tight end has averaged about 98 catches per season. If he maintains that in 2025, it\u2019d thrust him into the top-five all-time, tying himself with\u00a0Marvin Harrison\u00a0at 1,102 catches. In the process, Kelce would be passing the likes of\u00a0Isaac Bruce,\u00a0Andre Johnson,\u00a0Terrell Owens,\u00a0Cris Carter, and other all-time greats.\u201d<\/p>\n
That could be challenging if the Chiefs\u2019 plan comes to fruition this season, and they do lean on Kelce less.<\/p>\n
Worthy finished second on the team in 2024 with 59 receptions.<\/p>\n
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The only other item that could complete this coming season more than Kelce moving into the top five in receptions is winning another Super Bowl. He spoke candidly about the disappointment of losing this past title game to the Philadelphia Eagles.<\/p>\n
Kelce also noted that this offseason, he \u201crefocused\u201d his efforts. Usually locked on things away from football, he put that energy back towards the game.<\/p>\n
Notably, this is also the final year of Kelce\u2019s contract with the Chiefs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to make this dream that I\u2019ve always had the best it\u2019s ever been,\u201d Kelce said on \u201cBussin\u2019 With The Boys\u201d on July 1. \u201cI think I failed last year in a lot of different ways for my guys on the field. In terms of being a leader, and just being prepared and ready to rock. And I\u2019m motivated to f****** be accountable for the guys, man.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the last [season] on the contract. I\u2019m focused on this one, man. I don\u2019t know what next year is going to feel like. I don\u2019t know what I\u2019m going to feel like in March and in April next year when I make that decision, or I try and figure out what\u2019s next for me. But I know that I got one on the contract. And I got a hell of a f****** team, and we got a lot of f****** talent, and I\u2019m pumped for it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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