The Kansas City Chiefs played arguably the worst game of the Patrick Mahomes era on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, and it just happened to come at the worst possible time in Super Bowl 59 with NFL history on the line.
Kansas City struggled offensively, totaling just 23 yards of offense with one first down by halftime with Philadelphia holding a 24-0 lead. Things didn’t get any better in the second half as the Eagles cruised to a 40-6 lead before the Chiefs added two touchdowns in garbage time but still lost 40-22.
The defeat ended the Chiefs’ bid to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls, and perhaps more importantly it may have signaled the end of a legendary career as well.
Several reporters asked Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce if he planned on retiring after the Super Bowl — a question he skillfully dodged on more than one occasion during his media availabilities.
Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce and QB Patrick Mahomes chat before a game.
Corey Perrine / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
But with the 2024 season officially over, and a looming engagement to girlfriend Taylor Swift likely in the cards sometime during the offseason, many expect Kelce to ride off into the sunset and start a family with the 14-time Grammy winner.
That belief was only strengthened when a video started making the rounds on social media showing a heartwarming postgame embrace between Kelce and Mahomes after losing their second Super Bowl in the last five years.
“I feel like he is retiring and Pat knows it. 😢,” one fan replied.
“I really want to believe this isn’t it for him but all the signs,” another wrote.
“🥺💔,” a third fan added.
“I’m way to emotional and sensitive for this,” remarked one user.
“I’m sad for them but I also love seeing Travis be so supportive. He truly has been a good teammate,” proclaimed another.
“This video. Stab in the heart it would hurt less,” another user commented.
“Still put some respect on their names. Today wasn’t their day,” one fan quipped.
If Kelce does call it a career, he has one of the best resumes of any tight end in NFL history — one that includes 10 Pro Bowls, four first-team All-Pro honors, three second-team All-Pro honors, and three Super Bowl championships.
Kelce also holds several records including career postseason receptions, postseason 100-yard games, postseason receiving yards by a tight end, 1,000-yard seasons by a tight end, and 100-yard games by a tight end.
