Rob Gronkowski believes Travis Kelce will play another one or two seasons in the NFL while defending the Kansas City Chiefs star from criticism over his 2024 season.
Kelce, 35, has been a mainstay in the Chiefs offense since his 2013 drafting, but the three-time Super Bowl winner has been targeted more by defenses this season following injuries to key players. Kansas City lost receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown before the start of the 2024 season, and running back Isiah Pacheco lasted a couple of weeks before suffering a leg injury.
Despite the injuries, the Chiefs have put together a 14-1 start and have just two games remaining before hitting the playoffs, where they’ll be hoping to complete a historic NFL three-peat. However, Kelce has seen a significant decrease in touchdowns, with the tight end managing just two entering the Christmas Day clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That’s despite Kelce managing over 80 receptions for a ninth-straight season. Kelce has also managed more than 800 yards from 2014 to 2023, and he’s just 61 yards shy of that marker this season.
Gronkowski, a legendary NFL tight end in his own right, believes Kelce has enough in him to play another one or two seasons before retiring, and he has dismissed criticism leveled at the Chiefs star over performances this year. “I believe he can go at least another two years,” Gronkowski said on the Up & Adams Show.
“The guy has 85-plus catches this year. We’re talking about his stats being downare you kidding me?… How are your stats down if you have 80-plus catches at 35 years old? I think I’ve only had 80-plus catches one time in my career, and I was 22 years old.
“I mean, he’s the security blanket; he gets first downs whenever they need to. You actually watch him running routes; he’s very crisp and very smooth with them as well It’s just one of those years the ball’s just not going to be thrown to him in the end zone every single time.”
Gronk’s timeline is similar to that revealed by Kelce himself. Last offseason, Kelce signed a two-year contract raise with the Chiefs. His deal would run out at the end of the 2025 NFL season.
Following the Chiefs’ road win over the Cleveland Browns in Kelce’s hometown, the Kansas City icon admitted it might be the last time he plays at Huntington Bank Field. Kelce has played against the Browns on their turf just two times.
Kansas City isn’t sure if it will play Cleveland next season. Before this season’s meeting, the two teams met last in 2021.
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