Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce shut down any further retirement speculation and told reporters he has no “desire to stop anytime soon.”
During a playoffs press conference on Thursday ahead of the Chiefs’ Wild Card Game against the Miami Dolphins, reporters asked Kelce about comments he made to the Wall Street Journal earlier in the season that indicated he thinks about retiring “nonstop” because of all the injuries he’s sustained.
Kelce turned the question around and asked the reporters, “Do you guys think about retirement? Am I the only one in this boat? Whoever’s not thinking about stuff down… I blame you.”
“I have no reason to stop playing football, man,” the Chiefs’ tight end insisted. “I love it, we still have success and I come in with the right mindset. I just love the challenge it gives me every single day to try to be at my best. I have no desire to stop anytime soon.”
This will put to rest all the rumors that Travis Kelce is going to retire after this season. pic.twitter.com/aEq1uz3ddb
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) January 11, 2024
The Chiefs have struggled on the offensive side of the ball most of the season, with Kelce racking up less than a thousand yards this season, The Athletic noted.
In 15 games, Kelce finished with 93 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns in the regular season. When asked about his performance, the Kansas City player said he still was a valuable player on the team.
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“There are still ways to impact the game, being able to be a good blocker and in the pass game running my routes accordingly to get other guys open if it’s possible,” Kelce said. “Getting a lot of attention, you can free up a lot of guys. I love the challenge.”
Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling called Kelce “one of the best to ever do it, so as long as he can get out there and put his cleat on, he’s going to go out there and play. Him being in his 11th year, being able to play at a high level at 34 years old and being the leader that he is, that just shows what kind of player and teammate he is.”
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