Chiefs hoping to see playoff Travis Kelce in full effect - ESPN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Even though he led the Kansas City Chiefs in receptions again this season by a wide margin, it wasn't difficult to see the emphasis of the passing game shift away from tight end Travis Kelce. Between receiver Rashee Rice's hot start, rookie receiver Xavier Worthy's growth and tight end Noah Gray's development, the future is on its way.

But it's not here quite yet. The Chiefs' need might not be as great as it once was for a big playoff game or two from Kelce, as he has delivered many times in the past, but he still appears capable of providing it.

«I'm happy with my role right now,'' said Kelce, who sat out the Chiefs' final regular-season game, against the Denver Broncos, when the Chiefs rested several key players for a playoff run. „I'm out here helping this team win football games. We got a lot of good tight ends. We got a lot of wide receivers that are getting open, that are doing great things with the football. Pat (Mahomes) is playing at his best going into the playoffs, so it's a year a little bit different than others, but it's still a blast coming in every single day.''

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It was a different type of season for Kelce, who turned 35 in October. He started slowly, with just eight catches in the first three games. Despite his 97 receptions, Kelce had the lowest yardage (823) and touchdown totals (three) of his career.

Kelce's season wasn't without its highlights. He had seven games with at least seven catches, highlighted by a 14-reception, 100-yard game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He held the passing game together for a stretch when the Chiefs played without Rice and Hollywood Brown, then both out with injuries.

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