PATRICK MAHOMES has given his verdict on the prospect of Travis Kelce retiring after the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl 59 defeat.
The Chiefs’ hopes of becoming the first team to win three straight Super Bowl titles were shattered by the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s final in New Orleans.
Kelce had a forgettable game in the 40-22 loss, only making four catches on six targets for a mere 39 yards.
Speculation was rife that Sunday’s game could be the tight end’s farewell gridiron appearance.
But Mahomes is adamant the 35-year-old still has plenty to give, saying: “I’ll let Travis make that decision [about retirement] on his own.
“He’s given so much to this team and to the NFL and been such a joy, not only for me to work with but for people to watch.
“He knows he still has a lot of football left in him. You can see it. He always makes plays in the biggest moments.
“But it’s if he wants to put in that grind ’cause it’s a grind to go out there and play 20 games, whatever it is, and get to the Super Bowl.”
Mahomes insists the Chiefs will respect whatever decision Kelce makes over his future.
“He’s done enough to be a gold jacket guy and a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” the Chiefs star QB said. “But I know he’s still got a love for the game.
“He’ll get to spend some time with his family and make that decision on his own.
“He knows he’ll come back here with welcome arms. We love that guy, not only for the football player but the person that he is every single day.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Philadelphia Eagles get their revenge with hammering that proves Patrick Mahomes still has a long way to go to catch GOAT Tom Brady ” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”pV1KxHf2t” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6368582504112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“I know he still has love for the game.
“He’ll get time to spend with his family and make that decision on his own. He’ll be welcomed back here with open arms.”
Kelce has yet to speak on his future, which Andy Reid believes could one day involve coaching.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D106002%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]The Chiefs head coach told Colin Cowherd: “Travis would be a heck of a football coach.
“He’s able to get up there and explain things and teach these young guys what he sees and feels.”