If Travis Kelce is playing in his final NFL game this weekend, the Kansas City Chiefs want to see him go out with a bang.
The future Hall of Fame tight end is surrounded by retirement speculation as the Chiefs head into their season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders. While Kelce has put off questions about whether he is hanging up the cleats, many insiders believe he is headed for retirement after the conclusion of the regular season.
With the Chiefs long eliminated from playoff contention and quarterback Patrick Mahomes out for the season with a knee injury, the team may be planning something special for Kelce on his way out.
Chiefs Want Travis Kelce to Score in Final Game
ESPN’s Nate Taylor reported that the Chiefs have no plans to lighten Kelce’s workload, even though they have been eliminated from the playoffs for close to a month and could use the season finale to get a look at some younger players.
Taylor added that the Chiefs want Kelce to end his season — and potentially his career — with a touchdown.
“The biggest subplot for the Chiefs is the strong possibility that Sunday could be TE Travis Kelce’s last game in his illustrious 13-year career. Kelce is expected to play his usual snaps, and the Chiefs will be eager to get him a touchdown against the rival Raiders.”
Kelce could have an outside chance at hitting 1,000 yards this season if the Chiefs choose to give him a big role. The veteran tight end is having a productive season, making 73 receptions for 839 yards and five touchdowns.
But Kelce will need to reach those marks with a third-stringer under center. After losing Mahomes to a torn ACL and LCL in a Week 15 loss, the Chiefs also lost backup Gardner Minshew to a season-ending injury the following week. The team has turned to practice squad quarterback Chris Oladokun as starter to close out the season.
Travis Kelce Puts Off Retirement Rumors
Kelce has not been keen to address questions about his potential retirement, skipping media availability after several of his recent games and putting off questions after the team’s Christmas Day loss to the Denver Broncos.
“Honestly, I’ve just been trying to win games,” Kelce told reporters, via The Sporting News. “I’ll let that be a decision I’ll make with my family, friends and the Chiefs organization when the time comes.”
While Kelce won’t say yet whether he’s retiring, many expect the decision will come after the season and some fellow players are sharing praise for his stellar career. Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe made a strong statement this week, calling Kelce the best tight end in NFL history.
“I believe that Travis Kelce is the greatest tight end who has ever played,” Sharpe said, via SI.com. “When you are talking about greats, you start nitpicking. I mean, you look at the Pro Bowls. You look at the All-Pros. You look at the 1000 catch seasons. You look at the numbers, and they are very close.”
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