Travis Kelce is stirring up some controversy in what could be the end of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The tight end reportedly considered retirement at the conclusion of last season before deciding to come back to avenge the team’s blowout loss in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs have instead suffered an even worse fate, getting eliminated by Week 15 and playing their final three weeks without Patrick Mahomes after his season-ending injury.
Kelce has been quiet about his plans for retirement — and his silence has forced the NFL into a difficult decision on his punishment.
Travis Kelce Forcing NFL to Make Punishment Decision
Kelce has put off media requests over the last three games, which Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted is a violation of the league’s rules for player availability.
“Players have been fined in the past, if/when the failure to comply with media obligations becomes chronic, and if the media covering the team complains about it. Sometimes, the media doesnât make waves,” PFT said.
Though Kelce has not spoken to media over the last few weeks, the league has decided not to issue any fines. The league does not regularly issue fines for players who skip media, and it would likely be a bad look to punish a popular player who could be headed to retirement.
But Kelce has attracted some criticism, especially from members of the media who have called him out for not taking accountability amid the team’s struggles. With Mahomes out, defensive lineman Chris Jones has been the lone veteran speaking to the media after games.
Chiefs reporter Pete Mundo joked about Kelce’s media avoidance after last week’s loss to the Tennessee Titans.
âWILL TRAVIS KELCE TALK TO THE MEDIA AFTER THIS LOSS? -200 odds he passes, per usual, after a loss. Hope Iâm wrong,â Mundo wrote.Â
Travis Kelce Could Have Just Two Games Left in NFL Career
Kelce will be playing in what could be the final home game of his career on Thursday, with the Chiefs hosting the Denver Broncos on Christmas night. The Chiefs close out the season by traveling to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders.
While Kelce has been coy about his plans for retirement, The Athletic’s Sam Jane suggested it would seem the right time for him to hang up the cleats. Jane noted that the Chiefs are headed for a roster rebuild, with Kelce’s contract up at the conclusion of this season.
‘The Chiefs roster will likely undergo a retooling in the offseason, which could mean moving on from Kelce,” Jane wrote. “Itâs also a unique time in the 36-year-oldâs life. He recently became engaged to pop star Taylor Swift, and their wedding is set for next summer. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes said earlier this season that Kelce will ‘have the option to do whatever he wants to do after this season.’ ”
If this is the final season of his career, Kelce will have one more NFL engagement after the season ends. While the Chiefs will miss the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade, Kelce was selected for the Pro Bowl.
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