Could this be the end of the duo of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce?
Retirement talks have swirled around Kelce this year as he’s played his 13th NFL season, and the question came back to the surface after Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his left knee on Sunday in the Chiefs’ loss to the Chargers.
While Mahomes promised to return to the field “stronger than ever,” it’s unclear how long and how cautious the Chiefs will be with his return, and at 36 years old, Kelce’s time in the league is dwindling.
Kelce, who is in the final year of his contract, did not speak with reporters following the 16-13 loss at Arrowhead Stadium.
“It’s not the time. I’ll catch you guys during the week,” he told reporters in the locker room.
The duo has connected on more than 700 passes, over 8,000 yards and 120-plus touchdowns while winning three Super Bowls together.
Kelce did address the idea of his retirement last month, speaking with media members ahead of a game against the Colts.
He said at the time that his decision about retirement wouldn’t come until after the season.
“Seeing my brother go through it and seeing — I don’t know, how the league works … I want to give the Chiefs a good opportunity, whether I come back or not, and vice versa,” he said, according to the Associated Press.
“It’s one of those things where I’d like to make that decision before they have draft picks and free agency opens,” Kelce continued, “and they can go out there and fill the roster appropriately. All of that will be after the season. I won’t think about it until then.”
However, that thinking may have shifted with his longtime friend and teammate now sidelined for an unknown length of time, and the Chiefs now missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
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Before Mahomes’ injury, the Chiefs’ quarterback found Kelce for five receptions against the Chargers.
Kelce, who is preparing to wed fiancée Taylor Swift, finished the game with seven catches for 70 yards.
