At 6-7, the Kansas City Chiefs have their backs against the wall.
Travis Kelce is still looking for an escape route. After two key turnovers in Sunday night’s 20-10 loss to Houston — including one that resulted in a game-tying interception — the 36-year-old senior expressed frustration on the latest episode of his “New Heights” podcast.
“You put in all that f—ing work and hope it pays off,” Kelce said, via ESPN . “And now, it’s just for whatever f—ing reason, man, it’s the little things. I feel like I’ve always had the answers for the past few years. And this year, I just can’t find them.
“I keep thinking if I come to work and put in the work and fix the issues through my practice routines and by perfecting my game plan and my fundamentals and what I’m taught, and go out there and try to play for my guys next to me, it’s all going to come together like it has the last few years. And this year, it just isn’t, man.”
Kelce wasn’t the only Chiefs player responsible for a slump in prime-time losses; Three other drops were charged to teammates, including two by Rashee Rice on fourth down. But Kelce’s downfall looms in the loss because of his reputation as Patrick Mahomes’ reliable target for most of the last decade.
If the Chiefs’ dynasty is on the brink of collapse, Kelce’s drops typified it.
The role of father time in the matter cannot be overlooked either. At 36 years old, Kelce has shown glimpses of his old self but hasn’t broken 1,000 yards in a season since 2022. Much like they followed his brother, future Hall of Fame quarterback Jason, in the final years of his career, questions surrounding Kelce’s future in football have grown in volume and intensity in 2025.
Even Mahomes had to comment on that this week.
“Every season I’ve had with him over the last few years I try to cherish it because you never know [if this will be his last],” Mahomes said of Kelce after the loss to Houston. “He came into great shape this year and has played great football. He’ll have a chance to do whatever he wants to do after this season, but I know one thing: He’s going to give everything he’s got the rest of this season to try to give us a chance to make the playoffs.
“We know that the chances are getting smaller and smaller.