Nobody knows what the future holds for longtime Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Originally a third-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati product is one of the greatest tight ends in the history of the game. While he’s still a good player, age has taken its toll on the 13-year veteran, and nobody knows if Kelce will retire or return for one last season.
These are the two most likely outcomes, but ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum offered a third solution. During a recent appearance on SportsCenter, the NFL analyst suggested the team move on from the future Hall of Famer. Star defensive tackle Chris Jones saw this tweet and simply told Tannenbaum to “shut up.”
Chris Jones Reacts to Chiefs Moving On From Travis Kelce
Quite frankly, it’s hard to see where Tannenbaum is coming from. Nobody denies that Travis Kelce is no longer the unstoppable force he was at the peak of his career, but the Chiefs weapon is still one of the game’s better tight ends. Starting and appearing in all 17 games, Kelce finished the season with 76 receptions for 851 yards, five touchdowns, and a 72.0 PFF grade, the 18th-best mark out of 75 eligible players.
By all accounts, Travis Kelce is still an above-average tight ends, and the Chiefs need someone like him on the roster. There is no heir apparent on the roster, and his familiarity with Patrick Mahomes makes him an invaluable part of the team’s operation. Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL, which means he probably won’t be too mobile early in the season. If the quarterback is to play efficient football, he’ll need someone who can get open quickly and read defenses the same way he does. Kelce is perfect for a role like this and should be a key part of the passing attack if he chooses to return.
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