Kansas City Chiefs have handed Travis Kelce unexpected new role for NFL season

Travis Kelce is one of the best tight ends in the NFL and is a key player for the Kansas City Chiefs – but the 34 year old could have a new role for the 2024 season

Travis Kelce has a backup role on special teams (
Image: Getty)

The Kansas City Chiefs have disclosed Travis Kelce’s unexpected special teams role for the upcoming 2024 NFL season. The veteran, 34, will potentially add long-snapping duties to his responsibilities.

Kelce, who has already appeared in the Chiefs’ opening two preseason encounters, is looking to retain his premier position and continue receiving passes from quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the foreseeable future. Impressing with versatility, Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub shared insights on Tuesday about Kelce’s additional capabilities.

“See, Kelce’s our backup long-snapper,” Toub told the press. “During the regular season, I can throw him in there and he’s dynamite, does a great job.”

Queries also emerged regarding James Winchester, the usual long snapper for the team, who suffered a shoulder injury against the Detroit Lions last weekend. He returned post-halftime yet was replaced by Noah Gray, another tight end.

Notably, the Super Bowl LVI champions have secured free agent Randen Plattner, previously with the Baltimore Ravens, potentially sparing Kelce from stepping into the alternate role this regular season.

Amidst these developments, Kelce and his teammates are eyeing a historic accomplishment aiming for a consecutive third NFL championship after clinching the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the previous Super Bowl LVIII over the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas. With Patrick Mahomes confident in the team’s prospects of achieving an NFL first, the storied Patriots coach Bill Belichick has hinted at certain reservations.

Belichick, speaking on the Pat McAfee show, highlighted some areas for improvement for the Chiefs. He said: “I think the bigger issues are going to be on defense. Look, they played very well in the playoffs, so that’s where it counts and that’s the most important thing. But overall as a team, run defense, turnovers – I think that’s an area they’re going to want to improve in.”

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Kelce in action against the Lions in preseason ( 
Image:
Getty)

He also commented on the difficulty of maintaining success, stating: “I just think this third year, for it all to fall into place three years in a row is tough,” but added, “If anybody can do it, it’s probably Kansas City, but it won’t be easy.”

Despite a narrow loss to potential Super Bowl rivals, the Lions, Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid remained positive. He said: “I think you’ve been able to see the growth,” and “We’ve added a ton in the last few days up here. The guys have digested it and been able to spit it back – retain it. That has been a positive. And then maybe most of all getting yourself in football shape, kind of re-amping up to our first game.”

Reid also acknowledged there was still work to be done before the season starts, adding: “We still have a couple of weeks ahead of us here til that all takes place,” and “But we ll keep working on it. We’re not ready yet, but we’ll keep working and sharpening ourselves up to play. I appreciate the attitude the guys have had.”