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NFL Legend Rob Gronkowski Shares Reality Check For Travis Kelce Before Chiefs-Eagles

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Sep 10, 2025 12:54 PM ET

At 35 years old, tight end Travis Kelce is looking to help the Kansas City Chiefs win their fifth Super Bowl in franchise history and fourth since 2019.

Unfortunately, their 2025 season started on a sour note, losing to the Los Angeles Chargers 27-21 in São Paulo, Brazil. To make matters worse, wide receiver Xavier Worthy suffered a dislocated shoulder after a collision with Kelce.

With Worthy's availability in question for Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and wide receiver Rashee Rice serving his six-game suspension, the Chiefs are thin in the pass-catcher department.

They'll need to lean on other options, but unfortunately, four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski made it clear he doesn't believe Kelce can still be a heavily-relied-on target.

“Travis Kelce is going to be used in situational football, "Gronkowski said on the "Up & Adams Show." "I don’t think that you can depend on him, first, second, third down, and every single, you know, every single play, but in situational football, he can come through for them.”

"I don't think you can depend on him... every single play"

Future HOF TE Rob Gronkowski on Travis Kelce@heykayadams | @RobGronkowski pic.twitter.com/lOI6c2HgEL
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) September 10, 2025

Throughout his career, Kelce has established himself as one of the NFL's greatest tight ends, recording seven straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2016 to 2022.

However, he's taken a clear step back and in 2024, racked up 97 receptions, 823 yards (lowest since 2014) and three touchdowns (lowest since 2014) on 133 targets.

Against the Chargers, he was far from what he used to be, with just four targets, two receptions, 47 yards and one touchdown.

Of course, this isn't a personal attack from Gronkowski, but rather just the reality of how Kelce's performance has been trending as he enters the back end of his career.

However, it's not as though his role in the Chiefs' offense is nonexistent, as his connection and relationship with quarterback Patrick Mahomes still make him one of the two-time MVP's most trusted targets.

Kelce is given a prime opportunity to turn back the clock, though, as Kansas City seeks revenge after their Super Bowl LIX loss.

The Eagles currently sit as 1.5-point favorites, according to ESPN BET, with kickoff set for 4:25 p.m. ET at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

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

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