Rob Gronkowski doesn’t believe Travis Kelce is “down bad,” despite what a certain Taylor Swift song title might suggest. The former New England Patriots star recently weighed in on Kelce’s career trajectory, offering praise for the Kansas City Chiefs tight end while also making a bold prediction about his future in the NFL.
Gronk’s Perspective on Kelce’s Career
Appearing on the Up & Adams Show, Gronkowski highlighted Kelce’s impressive career, even as the 35-year-old tight end begins to contend with the realities of aging in professional football. Comparing their respective quarterback-tight end dynamics, Gronk noted a key difference between his partnership with Tom Brady and Kelce’s relationship with Patrick Mahomes.
“When I played with Tom, he was the older, experienced veteran, and I was the ‘young buck’ learning from him,” Gronkowski explained. “With Kelce and Mahomes, the roles are reversed. Travis is the seasoned mentor, guiding Mahomes in critical moments.”
Despite his age, Kelce remains a dominant force on the field. Gronkowski dismissed concerns over Kelce’s recent statistics, emphasizing how extraordinary his achievements continue to be.
“I believe he can go at least another two years,” Gronkowski said. “The guy has 85-plus catches this year. People are talking about his stats being down—are you kidding me? How are your stats ‘down’ when you’ve got over 80 catches at 35 years old? I think I only had 80-plus catches once in my career, and I was 22!”
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Kelce’s Evolving Role in the Chiefs’ Offense
Kelce, who is just shy of 100 receptions for the season, has faced questions about his lower touchdown count, with only two receiving touchdowns so far—the lowest since his rookie season in 2013. However, Gronk believes this is less about a decline in performance and more about how Kelce is being utilized.
“He’s the ultimate security blanket for Mahomes,” Gronkowski said. “He picks up first downs when they need it most. Watching him run routes, he’s still so crisp and smooth. It’s just one of those years where the ball isn’t being thrown to him in the end zone as much, but that doesn’t take away from his impact.”
The Future of Travis Kelce
For Gronk and many others, Kelce’s age is merely a number. The four-time Super Bowl champion believes Kelce could maintain his elite level of play for a few more years if he chooses to continue.
“If he wanted to extend his career, I think Kelce could easily rack up 70-plus catches for the next few seasons,” Gronkowski predicted. “He’s proven that his game isn’t just about speed or youth—it’s about his technique, his football IQ, and his ability to adapt.”
Chiefs Fans Hope for More Years of Kelce
Gronk’s endorsement is music to the ears of Chiefs fans, who have watched Kelce become one of the most reliable and productive tight ends in NFL history.
With his partnership with Mahomes still flourishing, there’s hope that Kelce will continue to shine well into his late 30s.
For now, Kelce remains a pivotal part of Kansas City’s offense, providing the consistency and leadership the team relies on. Whether it’s catching touchdowns, moving the chains, or mentoring his teammates, Kelce is showing no signs of slowing down—and Gronkowski is confident there’s plenty more greatness to come.
