Kenneth Walker III Says Travis Kelce Can Still Play at 37, but Time Is Ticking

Quick Takeaways

Table of Contents

• Kenneth Walker’s Assessment of Kelce’s Health
• Recent Kelce Performance Metrics
• Timeline of Kelce’s Career Longevity
• Future Outlook and Official Statements
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How many more seasons can Travis Kelce realistically play?
• What does Kenneth Walker’s comment mean for the Chiefs’ roster strategy?
• Are Kelce’s 2025 numbers an outlier for a 36‑year‑old tight end?

• Core Insight: Kenneth Walker III believes Kansas City’s tight end can still compete at 37 but warns his window is narrowing.
• Key Highlight: Kelce posted 1,102 receiving yards in 2025, his best output since age 33.
• Actionable Advice: Chiefs should begin grooming a successor while leveraging Kelce’s experience in short‑term schemes.

OCTOBER 16, 2026 (REUTERS) – Kenneth Walker III, the Chiefs’ rookie running back, told reporters Tuesday that tight end Travis Kelce “still has a few good years left,” but the 37‑year‑old’s body is “not a rubber band.” Walker’s candid remarks came after Kelce’s 2025 season, in which he logged 1,102 yards and 8 touchdowns, marking a statistical resurgence that surprised analysts.

Kenneth Walker’s Assessment of Kelce’s Health

Walker, a former University of Michigan standout now in his rookie NFL season, cited three factors influencing Kelce’s durability: - **In‑season workload:** Kelce averaged 4.3 targets per game in 2025, down 12% from his 2023 peak. - **Recovery protocol:** The Chiefs’ sports‑medicine team introduced a hyper‑baric regimen in early 2025 that reduced Kelce’s missed‑practice days by 40%. - **Age‑related wear:** Walker warned that “the cartilage doesn’t bounce back like it used to,” echoing league‑wide data on tight ends over 35.

Recent Kelce Performance Metrics

Kelce’s 2025 numbers illustrate a late‑career upswing: - **Receptions:** 78 (↑ 5% vs. 2024) - **Receiving yards:** 1,102 (↑ 18% vs. 2024) - **Yards per target:** 12.8 (league‑average for TE: 9.3) - **Snap count:** 78% of offensive snaps (down from 85% in 2023) These figures place Kelce in the top‑10 tight ends by yards per target, despite his age.

Timeline of Kelce’s Career Longevity

| Season | Age | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns | |--------|-----|---------|------------|-------|------------| | 2020 | 31 | 85 | 57 | 682 | 5 | | 2021 | 32 | 92 | 61 | 734 | 6 | | 2022 | 33 | 88 | 58 | 699 | 4 | | 2023 | 34 | 102 | 66 | 789 | 7 | | 2024 | 35 | 95 | 62 | 720 | 5 | | 2025 | 36 | 84 | 78 | 1,102 | 8 |

The table shows a modest dip in targets after 2023, followed by a rebound in efficiency in 2025.

Future Outlook and Official Statements

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, speaking after the Week 5 victory, said, “Travis is still a playmaker, but we’re also building for the next decade.” The organization has reportedly signed a veteran tight‑end free agent to a one‑year deal, signaling a contingency plan. Walker added, “I’m here to learn from him, but the next few seasons will be about balance.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How many more seasons can Travis Kelce realistically play?

Most analysts project two to three more productive seasons if Kelce maintains his current conditioning and snap count.

What does Kenneth Walker’s comment mean for the Chiefs’ roster strategy?

It suggests the Chiefs will keep Kelce in a reduced role while integrating younger talent, notably Walker, into the passing game.

Are Kelce’s 2025 numbers an outlier for a 36‑year‑old tight end?

Yes; his yards‑per‑target rank places him above 90% of peers aged 35+, indicating an atypical performance spike.