Dez Bryant recently shared his opinion on Travis Kelce’s role within the Kansas City Chiefs, suggesting the star tight end should shift to being the team’s third offensive target. This perspective comes as the Chiefs retool their roster following their Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and prepare for new challenges in the 2025 NFL season.
Bryant’s comments highlight the evolving dynamics of the Chiefs’ offense, which has relied heavily on Kelce for years. At 35, Kelce remains one of the league’s premier tight ends, but questions surrounding his workload and longevity are growing. Kelce himself has expressed a renewed commitment to improving his performance, motivated by a desire to bounce back from last season’s disappointing finish.
The Chiefs face a pivotal season as they integrate new talent on both sides of the ball. With Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and Andy Reid steering the offense, the team’s success will depend on spreading responsibilities more evenly among their playmakers. Bryant’s suggestion to reduce Kelce’s role could allow emerging targets to step up, enhancing the offense’s overall efficiency.
Kelce’s decision to return for another season underscores his dedication to the Chiefs and their championship aspirations. Despite speculation about retirement, Kelce has emphasized his love for football and his commitment to giving his best effort for Kansas City. His leadership and experience will remain invaluable, regardless of how his role evolves.
Dez Bryant Says Travis Kelce Should Be Third Option To Let Go By Kansas City Chiefs
Just recently, Bryant gave his take on what direction Kansas City should take. This can be seen in a post he shared on his official X account.
“The world knows how much I love the Chiefs, but I think they need to let go of some of the old stuff that’s not clicking and invest in a different direction in who should touch the football,” Bryant said. “I think Rice should be the #1 target if he can handle the load because he’s really like that. I think Worthy and Hollywood should be the number 2 target…depending on weekly matchups..and Kecle the #3 target. Teams have a bad habit of living in the past. That’s why Philly is hard to beat because they have great management ..they know how and when to improve. At the end of the day..as long as you’ve got Patrick Mahomes on your team..you’ve got a chance to win.”
The Chiefs’ projected win total for 2025 reflects both their potential and the challenges they face in a competitive AFC. Balancing Kelce’s contributions with the development of other offensive players could be the key to exceeding expectations. As the season unfolds, Kelce’s adaptability and willingness to embrace change will play a significant role in the team’s pursuit of success.
Bryant’s take on Kelce’s role adds an intriguing layer to the Chiefs’ offensive strategy. Whether or not the tight end becomes the No. 3 target, his influence on the field and in the locker room remains crucial to Kansas City’s quest for another Super Bowl title.
The Kansas City Chiefs have done their best to keep a pipeline of fresh talent in efforts to stay as young as possible, thereby leaving the Super Bowl window wide open. However, the team still has obvious pillars on each side of the ball, so it's no surprise to see the team represented well on a new ranking of the NFL's over-30 players from Pro Football Focus—by both former and current players.
PFF's new list arranged a top 30 players who are 30 years old (at least) and plenty of familiar faces can be found by Chiefs Kingdom throughout.
Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is one of two current players under contract to make PFF's list. The game-wrecking lineman comes in at No. 4 overall, behind only running back Derrick Henry, pass rusher T.J. Watt, and tight end George Kittle.
There are Chiefs aplenty on the latest 30-over-30 list from Pro Football Focus.
Jones continues to earn extremely high grades from PFF and showcased an NFL-best 18.8% pass-rush win rate among interior linemen. PFF placed him as the top defensive tackle on the list. Last year was Jones's third consecutive season as a first-team All-Pro (and sixth All-Pro honor overall) with 38 pressures and 5 sacks.
The next Chiefs player on the list should be obvious, but it's a bit disheartening to see tight end Travis Kelce listed as low as No. 27. Kelce experienced a bit of a down year in 2024, and the ranking here encapsulates that drop in production, although he remains a vital cog in the Chiefs' offense. Kelce had 97 catches for 823 yards last season.
A few former Chiefs could also be found, players who became a bit too expensive and/or old for the team's financial plan and long-term forecast. Former Chiefs guard Joe Thuney is still playing at an elite level, which is why the Chicago Bears' trade for him this spring was such a savvy move by GM Ryan Poles. Thuney was ranked No. 11 overall on PFF's list.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who is perhaps the best WR to ever play for the Chiefs, is still considered one of the best in the game even as he's into his thirties. He comes in at No. 13 for PFF despite having a down year himself with the Miami Dolphins. Of course, that "down" season still included 959 yards and 6 touchdowns.
One year from now, the best quarterback in the game will be eligible for a list like this as Patrick Mahomes turns 30. While the Chiefs have done their best to get ahead of any age curve with some of their players, you can bet that entry will be around K.C. for as long as he wants to play.
