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Chiefs' Travis Kelce Predicted To End Career In Sour Fashion

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 29, 2025 7:19 PM ET

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is fighting father time for one more season as he comes back looking to end his storied career in style.

Year 13 for Kelce will see him look to improve on what was his worst statistical season last year (823 yards, three touchdowns), and to avenge the Super Bowl loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Many are skeptical if Kansas City's ability to still be the top dog in the AFC, along with Kelce able to show he still has juice in the tank. Both of which will be answered definitively in 2025.

As for Kelce, ESPN's Mike Clay doesn't think the future Hall of Famer will bounce back in the way many hope, with his 2025 projection painting a dark picture for the tight end.

Kelce's 2025 projection: 73 receptions, 705 yards, five touchdowns.

Should that statline come to fruition, it would be Kelce's lowest reception total since 2015 and his lowest-ever yards total. The five touchdowns represent a notable improvement, but considering his previous standards, that's not enough.

Of course, we also have to factor in that the Chiefs might be looking to move away from Travis being the go-to guy in preparation for his retirement (if it happens), so his value to the team likely won't be able to be justified by stats alone.

Clay's projections also have Rashee Rice going over 1,000 yards and Xavier Worthy posting 955 yards, and both with seven touchdowns, so there is production elsewhere, just not as much from Kelce.

And we think he won't care what his stats look like if he can win a fourth Super Bowl ring.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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