The upcoming offseason is sure to be one of change for the Kansas City Chiefs. Not only are they navigating life with quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovering from a major knee injury, but they could be without an all-time great for the first time in over a decade.
As the days past, speculation about tight end Travis Kelce is only heating up. Will the 36-year-old return for another campaign? Will he retire given his contract expires at the end of the season? Can he remain effective if he does so? How much does he have left to offer?
All of those questions have been weighed externally in recent weeks. Ahead of Kansas City’s Week 18 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, a rival defensive player shared his thoughts on the situation.
Devin White Makes Strong Claim About Travis Kelce’s All-Time Standing
Linebacker Devin White, a former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has faced Kelce on the biggest stage. He knows what the NFL legend looks like at his best.
Where does that “best” rank among all-time tight ends? Ahead of what could be Kelce’s final game as a pro, White gave him the ultimate praise.
Raiders LB Devin White speaks on Travis Kelce potentially
“Overall, he’s the best,” White said. “I think he’ll go down as the best ever in the game. Maybe in a long time, someone can pass him. I’ve played some really talented tight ends, but I feel like he takes the cake with just his savviness, being able to get open, the emotion he plays with, the swagger he plays with. I think that helps him along the way and just shows you why he’s a fan favorite.
“He was able to accumulate the Super Bowls and All-Pros and Pro Bowls to go down as a Hall of Famer. If this is his last game, I don’t know, but it’ll be good to play against him and be able to compete because one thing about him, he’s a competitor on the field.”
White, who’s been in the league since 2019, has squared off against the Chiefs four times. Once Mahomes got into the fold as full-time starter in 2018, Kelce’s legacy truly took off. It’s abundantly clear that over the years, the historically good tight end has earned some recognition from his peers.
White Believes Kelce Can Still Help Chiefs if He Returns in 2026
Of course, Kelce is coming off a very solid season for the Chiefs. Considering this is year No. 13 for him, it becomes even more impressive. If Kelce does decide to return for a 14th NFL season, would it be a wise decision?
White can’t answer for Kelce, but he’s sure his AFC West foe has plenty left in the tank if he wants to give it a go.
“He’s like that,” White said. “He’s got whatever he wants. Aaron Donald went out as a Super Bowl champion. I felt like that’s the best defensive player ever. He had way more in the tank left, but you never know when a guy is full. It doesn’t matter if they’ve got a lot left, if they’ve got a lot of money or they don’t have a lot of money. It’s all about how you feel mentally, and I know that’s one thing he’ll assess after the season.
“If he is done, congrats on a Hall of Fame career. If he isn’t done and I’m back here, let’s battle it out for some more years, if I’m back here. That’s just what it is with that.”
Through 16 games, Kelce has 73 receptions for 839 yards and 5 touchdowns. Despite hauling in 24 fewer passes than last year, he’s up 26 receiving yards and a pair of scores. His 11.5 yards per reception mark and 63.7% success rate are his best since 2022 and 2020, respectively. His 5.8 yards after catch per reception mark his best average dating back three years, too. According to SumerSports, Kelce’s 19.65% target share and 70.29 total EPA are third among all tight ends.
Kelce has a gold jacket waiting for him as a first-ballot Hall of Fame player. It’s up to him whether he’s prepared to end his career. Either way, players like White have no shame appreciating one of the best talents the game has ever seen.
Raiders LB Doesn’t Hold Back on Travis Kelce Thoughts Amid Retirement Talk