Mahomes Reflects on Kelce’s Future as Chiefs’ Playoff Hopes Dwindle
For the first time in his NFL career, Patrick Mahomes is looking up at a losing record in December. The Kansas City Chiefs are 6-7, and with each passing week, the road to the postseason gets steeper. After a 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football, the reality is setting in: the defending champs are on the brink, and Mahomes might be nearing the end of an era with his most trusted weapon.
Travis Kelce has been the heartbeat of this Chiefs offense for a decade. But now, at 34 and with a few more bumps and bruises than usual, there’s a growing sense that this could be his last ride.
Kelce recently announced his wedding date with Taylor Swift, and while that’s a headline in itself, it’s what’s happening on the field that’s drawing attention. Against Houston, Kelce couldn’t secure a bobbled pass that turned into a costly interception - a rare miscue for one of the most reliable tight ends in NFL history.
After the game, Mahomes didn’t shy away from the emotional weight of the moment.
“Every season I’ve had with him these last few years, I’ve tried to cherish because you never know,” Mahomes said. “He’s got himself in great shape this year, and he’s played great football. He’ll have the option to do whatever he wants to do after this season."
That’s not just quarterback-speak. That’s a teammate acknowledging the twilight of a legendary partnership.
Mahomes and Kelce have built something special - a connection that’s been the engine of Kansas City’s offense and a nightmare for defensive coordinators. But even the great ones know when the clock starts ticking.
Still, Mahomes made it clear: if this is the final stretch, Kelce’s not going out quietly.
“I know one thing, he’ll give everything he has throughout the rest of the season to try to give us a chance to make a playoff run,” Mahomes continued. “We know the chances are getting lower and lower, but I know the guys on this team are going to give everything they have every opportunity they get.”
That’s the mindset of a locker room that hasn’t thrown in the towel, even as the math gets ugly. According to NFL.com, the Chiefs now have just a 15% chance of making the playoffs. They’ll need to win out - not a small task - and hope for help from teams like the Chargers and Colts to stumble down the stretch.
Mahomes, for his part, will have to channel every ounce of his MVP pedigree to keep the season alive. But he’s not just fighting for another playoff berth. He’s fighting to extend what could be the final chapter of one of the most dynamic QB-TE duos the league has ever seen.
The Chiefs still have a pulse. And with Mahomes under center and Kelce still lacing them up, no one’s counting them out just yet. But make no mistake - time is running out, and the stakes have never felt higher.