Mahomes discusses whether 2025 could be Kelce's 'last ride'

Patrick Mahomes raises the Lamar Hunt Trophy while Travis Kelce celebrates after the Kansas City Chiefs' 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2023 AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Sam Greene / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Patrick Mahomes discusses whether 2025 could be Travis Kelce's 'last ride'

By Clark Dalton | Last updated May 29, 2025 4:35 PM ET

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce could be entering his last season in 2025, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes thinks you wouldn't guess that while watching him at OTAs.

"If it's the last ride, you would never know," Mahomes said Thursday, via Fox Sports' Henry McKenna. "It doesn't seem like a guy that it's his last ride, or he's tired of the job."

Patrick Mahomes on this potentially being Travis Kelce's last year: "If it's the last ride, you would never know ... It doesn't seem like a guy that it's his last ride - or he's tired of the job." #Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/iZZYAupzXv
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) May 29, 2025

While Kelce sounds motivated for the 2025 season, fans should still view him as a player nearing the end of his career.

In 16 regular-season games in 2024, the four-time first-team All-Pro had 97 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdown catches, his fewest since his rookie season in 2013.

In previous seasons, Kelce has found his groove in the playoffs, but that didn't happen in 2024. In three postseason games, he averaged a career-low 58.3 receiving yards per game. When the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX, he finished with four receptions for 39 yards.

After the loss to Philadelphia, Kelce texted ESPN's Pat McAfee, "I'm gonna get in the best shape of my life this offseason."

Even so, that may not help Kelce rebound. He turns 36 on Oct. 5, and the numbers of TEs typically decline toward the end of their careers. Pro Football Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez — who starred for the Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons from 1997-2013 — never eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards or more after he turned 33 in 2009.

Mahomes, however, may need one more vintage season from Kelce, as the Chiefs receiving corps still has problems.

Third-year WR Rashee Rice is still recovering from a right knee injury he suffered in September. Fellow WR Xavier Worthy showed flashes during his rookie season but finished with 638 receiving yards in 17 regular-season games. At least, Kelce seems more focused heading into this upcoming season.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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