The Kansas City Chiefs enter this postseason with a sense of déjà vu.
Last year’s regular season was far from their best, marked by offensive inconsistencies that left many questioning their championship potential.
Patrick Mahomes wasn’t his usual spectacular self, and Travis Kelce faced one of his most challenging seasons.
Yet when the playoffs arrived, a rejuvenated Kelce, even at 34, proved the doubters wrong with an impressive 32 receptions, 355 yards, and three touchdowns en route to another Super Bowl victory.
As the team prepares for another playoff run, similar concerns about Kelce’s form have resurfaced.
NFL analyst Dov Kleiman recently stirred the pot by pointing out growing fan concerns about Kelce’s fitness heading into Saturday’s playoff game.
“This season has statistically been his worst to date,” he noted, sparking a heated debate among fans.
????????: Many NFL fans are worried Travis Kelce is "out of shape" leading up to Saturday's playoff game.
This season has statistically been his worst to date… pic.twitter.com/C5oqAuU2hi
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 14, 2025
Chiefs supporters quickly rallied to defend their star tight end. “Only fans that hate the Chiefs are talking about this!” came one passionate response.
Only fans that hate the Chiefs are talking about this!
— Heath Higgins (@WAYwardProject) January 14, 2025
Another fan dismissed the criticism outright: “This pic is from last year and he won a Super Bowl. We good.”
This pic is from last year and he won a Super Bowl. We good.
— Lexi (@lexiosborne) January 14, 2025
The support continued with another declaring, “He’s fine. He’s a vet and he’s gonna lead them to victory just like he always does. He does the little things to help this team. Stop counting him out.”
He’s fine. He’s a vet and he’s gonna lead them to victory just like he always does
He does the little things to help this team
Stop counting him out
— Buddy Boy Bets (@Buddyboybets) January 14, 2025
Not everyone shared this optimism, though. Critics didn’t hold back, with comments like “He’s slowed down a ton. It’s been obvious all year. #overrated” and “He’s looked out of shape all year.”
He's slowed down a ton. It's been obvious all year. #overrated
— Torkelson & Greene (@GreeneTorkelson) January 14, 2025
He’s looked out of shape all year
— Mauii.eth has 55 riders ? (@Mauii_NFT) January 14, 2025
Some even drew comparisons to his brother, noting “He’s starting to look like Jason Kelce.”
hes starting to look like jason kelce
— Coby’s Gambling Corner (@CobyValentine24) January 14, 2025
The numbers tell their own story – while Kelce managed to add four more receptions this season, his average yards per catch dropped to a career-low 8.5.
However, with a couple of weeks of rest ahead, there’s hope that Kelce might recapture the postseason magic that has defined his career.
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