Rival Coaches Cast Doubt on Travis Kelce’s Prime Amid Chiefs’ Struggles

The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off a Week 11 loss to your Denver Broncos, find themselves in an unfamiliar 5-5 position, prompting serious questions about their Super Bowl aspirations. Amidst this mid-season slump, whispers from rival NFL coaches and executives are putting the spotlight on aging roster components, particularly veteran tight end Travis Kelce, suggesting his once-dominant play may be in a noticeable decline.

Chiefs’ Unexpected Slump Fuels Scrutiny

Just one year removed from an AFC title and a run to Super Bowl LIX, the Kansas City Chiefs’ 5-5 record has shocked the NFL. Their recent defeat at the hands of the Denver Broncos has intensified concerns that Patrick Mahomes and the powerhouse Chiefs are now in real danger of missing the playoffs entirely. The sudden shift in their performance has led to an internal and external search for answers.

Rival Coaches Deliver a Brutal Assessment of Kelce

CBS Sports insider Jonathan Jones reached out to anonymous rival coaches and executives across the league to pinpoint the Chiefs’ issues. A recurring theme in their feedback centered on an aging roster, with specific attention drawn to 36-year-old tight end Travis Kelce. One particularly candid rival coach didn’t mince words about Kelce’s perceived decline, stating, “Kelce is nowhere close to the player he was in 2023 and that was nowhere close to the guy he was in 2021. He’s a guy in free fall from a skill standpoint that’s just age showing up.”

Other sentiments echoed this view, with one coach noting Kelce is “not as potent as he once was,” and another describing his performance as “diminishing.” The consensus among these competitors is that defenses have adapted to counter the Chiefs’ strategies, and Kansas City, perhaps due to the changing capabilities of key players like Kelce, hasn’t found a way to adjust back.

Kelce’s Performance: Still Productive, But Perceptions Shift

Despite the harsh criticism, Travis Kelce remains a central figure in the Chiefs’ offense. Through the first 10 games of the 2025 NFL season, he leads the team in receiving with 50 catches for 631 yards and four touchdowns. In the recent 22-19 loss to Denver, Kelce was still a force, hauling in nine catches for a team-leading 91 yards and one touchdown. That lone score was particularly significant, marking his 84th NFL career touchdown and surpassing Priest Holmes to claim sole possession of the Chiefs’ franchise touchdown record.

While his 2023 campaign ended a remarkable seven-season streak of over 1,000 receiving yards (finishing with 984 yards and five touchdowns) and his 2024 season saw 823 yards and three touchdowns, Kelce is currently on pace to improve on both receiving yards and touchdowns in 2025. This suggests that while rivals may perceive a decline, his statistical output still places him among the league’s top tight ends.

Travis Kelce’s Receiving Statistics Snapshot

What’s Next for the Struggling Chiefs?

With their season teetering at 5-5, the Kansas City Chiefs face mounting pressure to reverse their fortunes. Their next challenge comes in Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts. For a team that has been a consistent Super Bowl contender, getting back on track is paramount, especially with the AFC West remaining a competitive division and teams like your Broncos showing they can take down the reigning champions.

FAQs About the Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelce

• Is Travis Kelce truly in decline according to rival coaches?
  Yes, anonymous rival NFL coaches and executives have openly voiced concerns about Kelce’s aging and a perceived “free fall” in his skill level.
• What is the current record for the Kansas City Chiefs?
  The Chiefs are currently 5-5 after their Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos.
• What significant record did Travis Kelce break recently?
  In the game against the Broncos, Kelce scored his 84th career touchdown, breaking the Kansas City Chiefs’ franchise record for all-time touchdowns.
• Despite the criticism, is Kelce still productive in 2025?
  Yes, he is currently the Chiefs’ leading receiver with 50 catches for 631 yards and four touchdowns through 10 games, and is on pace to improve on his 2023 and 2024 receiving totals.

While the Kansas City Chiefs grapple with their unexpected struggles and the frank assessments of their star tight end, Denver football fans can take satisfaction in a pivotal win that not only improved the Broncos’ standing but also highlighted the chinks in a familiar rival’s armor.

Rival Coaches See Travis Kelce Decline As Chiefs Struggle