The Kansas City Chiefs entered Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers with a must-win mindset to keep their playoff hopes alive.
In the midst of losing star quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the final drive of the fourth quarter while trailing 16–13, the Chiefs turned the ball over and ultimately lost the game, officially eliminating them from playoff contention.
It was determined shortly after the game that Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, an injury that will end his season and lead to an early offseason focused on rehabilitation.
The future of veteran tight end Travis Kelce, 36, is now very much in question as he nears the end of his contract with the Chiefs.
With retirement a real possibility, Kelce may have played his final game alongside Mahomes—and potentially his last game against the Chargers, a team he has enjoyed significant success against throughout his career.
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That success has fostered a great deal of mutual respect between Kelce and Chargers star defensive back Derwin James, who has long regarded Kelce as one of the toughest opponents he has faced.
Following Sunday’s game, cameras caught a postgame exchange between Kelce and James at midfield, with James making it clear he wanted the jersey Kelce was wearing.
“Give me this [expletive] jersey! Give it to me!” James said to Kelce.
“You already know, man,” Kelce responded. “So much respect for you, dog. Keep leading them, man. Keep doing your thing, baby.”
Kelce was drafted in 2013, while James entered the league in 2018. Both have spent their entire careers with the Chiefs and Chargers, respectively, making them more than familiar with facing off against one another over the years.
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