Chiefs' Travis Kelce makes big admission amid touchdown drought

Much has been made about what Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce still has left in the tank amid his touchdown drought, which continued through this past Sunday's 28-18 win over the San Francisco 49ers. 

Following that victory, Kelce seemingly admitted he's no longer the same physical force at 35 that he was in his prime.

"I’d be silly to say I was flying around out there like I was in my younger years, for sure," Kelce explained, as Michael Silver of The Athletic shared. "[But] I feel like I’m still helping my team win, and that’s all that really matters to me. In terms of my agility and all that, I’m running faster mentally. So, I feel like that makes up for it." 

Even before Kelce went six straight games without a touchdown to open the campaign, some suggested he was out of shape in part because of alleged distractions related to his much-publicized relationship with entertainment superstar Taylor Swift. Some also accused the future Hall of Famer of caring more about off-the-field business opportunities than getting his body ready for the grueling season. 

According to ESPN stats, Kelce ended Week 7, leading the Chiefs with 28 receptions and 36 targets on the campaign. He's second with 245 receiving yards while featuring for a club that, as The Athletic's Nate Taylor and others have pointed out, must acquire some receiving help before the Nov. 5 trade deadline. 

Such numbers don't leap off a screen, but Kelce and others associated with the Chiefs won't care if the 6-0 team keeps stacking victories. 

"If we win games, nothing else matters," Kelce said. "I’m gonna go into the film room and I’m gonna figure out ways to get better. ...It’s a mentality and a routine that [head coach Andy Reid] sets. He’s never satisfied until we’re raising that trophy in the end." 

After he recorded only 17 yards on four catches against San Francisco, Kelce insisted that he still has "a little something in the tank." The Chiefs may not need him to empty that tank anytime soon, meaning he could be fresh when quarterback Patrick Mahomes needs him during games played in January and February. 

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the unbeaten Chiefs as massive 9.5-point favorites for this coming Sunday's matchup at a 2-5 Las Vegas Raiders side that has already become a seller ahead of the trade deadline.