Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have played together for seven seasons—ever since 2017 when the Kansas City Chiefs drafted the quarterback with the 10th pick—so it's easy to forget that there's a major age gap between the two stars.
On Wednesday, Mahomes, 28, offered reporters a reminder that Kelce, 34, is significantly older than him. The quarterback was asked about the massive spike in fame Kelce has experienced ever since he started dating Taylor Swift.
"Travis has always been Travis," Mahomes said. "At the end of the day, it's been cool to watch for me because, obviously he has all that attention, but he's just been himself the whole time. He's still Travis Kelce, he'll still walk through the stadium and treat every single person like they are his best friend, and he's going to be like that in the locker every single day, and so it hasn't been any different to me."
Still, fame has offered Kelce a number of opportunities. A reporter noted that they hadn't asked Mahomes what it was like seeing Kelce on Saturday Night Live. Kelce and Swift made one of their first public appearances together as the former made a cameo on an October episode. Kelce had also hosted the show in March.
Mahomes said he was disappointed he couldn't go watch Kelce in person, and he added that he knew being on SNL was "a dream" for Kelce—something that Mahomes, who is six years his junior, couldn't totally understand.
"He knows all the skits from guys that have done Saturday Night Live growing up, and he was always telling me ones from before I was even born," Mahomes said, smiling. "I'm like 'Trav, I'm not the same age as you dude. I don't know what that is.'"
Still, Mahomes said Kelce "crushed it."
"That's something that hopefully, longer down the line if I can keep him hanging on, that he'll be able to do more of that type of stuff after he's done playing football," Mahomes said.
Mahomes was clearly ribbing Kelce in a friendly way, but he indirectly offered a reminder that their partnership on the football field probably has an expiration date. After all, Kelce plays a demanding position at tight end, and he has hinted multiple times this season on his New Heights podcast that the accumulation of hits he has taken in his lengthy NFL career is starting to take a toll on his body.
Mahomes should be able to keep playing football for a long time. Tom Brady's ability to keep playing quarterback deep into his 40s might be the exception rather than a new rule, though Aaron Rodgers plans to return next season at age 40. Mahomes might not be as nimble at that age, but his arm strength and creativity could age well.
Kelce isn't planning to retire in the near future though.
"I have no reason to stop playing football," he told reporters earlier this month. "I love it. ...I just love the challenge it gives me every single day to try and be at my best. Like I said, I have no desire to stop anytime soon."
Still, at some point, the Chiefs' front office (and fanbase) will need to prepare for a future where Mahomes doesn't have his historically reliable target.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Tom Westerholm is a Sports & Culture Reporter for Newsweek. Prior to joining Newsweek, he was the Boston Celtics beat ... Read more
