Travis Kelce‘s legacy in Kansas City has long been secure. Arguably the greatest tight end in team and in NFL history, Kelce developed from an unfancied third-round draft pick into four-time first-team All-Pro at his position. He has merited selection to nine Pro Bowl games and has played in four Super Bowls lining up alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes — the duo has won football’s biggest game three times, all in the past five years.

But as the 12-1 Chiefs gear up to pursue a historic Super Bowl three-peat, Kelce’s future seems more uncertain than ever. His relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift has deepened; engagement rumors are swirling now that Swift‘s Eras Tour has concluded after 149 shows. Additionally, Kelce hasn’t always been able to play his best football in 2024, a factor that has been mitigated somewhat by the emergence of Noah Gray but has produced speculation nonetheless that Kelce could retire if Kansas City wins the Super Bowl again.

Kelce is the fastest tight end to this yardage milestone

But in the meantime, Kelce continues to rack up the yardage (even if it’s not at a brisk pace). Following his performance on Sunday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers, Kelce passed the 12,000-yard milestone after his 172nd game, the fastest tight end in history to hit that receiving yardage mark.

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Kelce has caught 80 passes this season for 682 yards; both marks lead the Chiefs. But the 35-year-old has caught just two touchdown passes in 13 games, which would be a career-low over a full season for Kelce. His yards per reception and yards per game average are also career-lows, sparking fears that Kelce is in an irreversible decline months after signing a lucrative contract extension.

But the victory over the Chargers proved that Kelce’s will to win, and the fun he has playing football, both remain intact. Kelce went back-and-forth with Los Angeles‘ star safety Derwin James throughout Sunday’s game, which ended 19-17 in favor of Kansas City after kicker Matthew Wright “doinked” in a 31-yard field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter.