Travis Kelce is pressured to produce after a contract extension that brings him closer to Taylor Swift

 

Travis Kelce‘s new $17 million per year extension with the Kansas City Chiefs come with expectations for even more success with the NFL‘s newest dynasty. Kelce has been backed to continue putting up huge numbers as he enters the final years of his Pro Football Hall of Fame career — but at 34 years old, how much more does he have in the tank?

Kelce saw his run of seven consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards end last year, but the Chiefs won the Super Bowl over the San Francisco 49ers anyway. The next challenge for Kelce in 2024 will be to return to the NFL’s elite as Kansas City pursues an historic three-peat.

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Travis Kelce’s impressive catch surprises Taylor as Mahomes throws a pass from the stage at an event

Kelce will have to outpace Father Time

Kelce is entering uncharted territory among tight ends: he turns 35 years old in October, and no tight end at that age has produced a 1,000-yard season. The closest would be Chiefs legend Tony Gonzalez, who caught 80 passes for 875 yards and seven touchdowns with the Atlanta Falcons during the 2011 season.

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Kelce has been lauded for his physical preparation and professionalism, and the shelf life for athletes entering their mid-to-late-30s is much greater now than it was even 15 years ago. One only has to look to the NBA and LeBron James for proof that age, sometimes, really is just a number — in his age-39 season this year, James averaged nearly 26 points and more than eight assists per game for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kelce might have an advantage that other top tight ends like Antonio Gates, Shannon Sharpe, and Jason Witten did not have as their careers wound down: Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs’ quarterback is the consensus choice as the NFL’s top signal-caller, and the restless inventiveness of head coach Andy Reid‘s offense means Kelce remains in position to produce at an elite level come September.