Chiefs' Kelce wants to play until 'the wheels fall off'
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce isn't ready to take a step back as he prepares for his 12th NFL campaign.
"I love coming to work every single day and doing this, so I am going to do it until the wheels fall off, and hopefully, that doesn't happen anytime soon," Kelce said, according to ESPN's Adam Teicher.
Kelce, who turns 35 in October, signed a two-year, $34.25-million restructured contract extension with Kansas City in April to become the NFL's highest-paid tight end, per Over The Cap.
There was speculation surrounding Kelce's future before he helped the Chiefs capture their second consecutive Super Bowl title this past season. The star tight end also battled through a knee injury last year.
"I can't put a time frame on it. Obviously, I know that there's opportunities outside of football for me, and I think you've got to keep in perspective that I'm still a little kid when I come into this building," Kelce said.
Kelce landed his first major acting role this offseason in the FX series "Grotesquerie," which is slated to premiere in the fall. However, the Chiefs star is adamant that playing football remains his "main focus."
Kansas City has been proactive in adding more depth behind Kelce ahead of next season. The Chiefs signed veteran Irv Smith Jr. and drafted Jared Wiley to lighten the load on No. 87. Yet Kelce is expecting his normal workload next season as he attempts to help the Chiefs pursue a three-peat.
"Wear and tear, baby. I'm ready for it, man. Put the load on me," Kelce said.
The nine-time Pro Bowler has hauled in 907 receptions for 11,328 yards and 74 touchdowns since the Chiefs drafted him in 2013.