Travis Kelce is in his 13th season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He started his NFL career in 2013 as the Chiefs’ third-round pick, following a memorable four-year stint with the Cincinnati Bearcats. Since then, the 36-year-old has been named an All-Pro four times, to the Pro Bowl 10 times and part of the Hall of Fame All-2020s Team. Kelce has won three Super Bowl titles with the Chiefs.
This season, the Cleveland, Ohio, native has registered 31 catches for 375 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Kelce has helped lead the Chiefs to a 4-3 record.
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during a game.Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union via Imagn Images
Up next for the Chiefs is a “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Washington Commanders. Jayden Daniels has already been ruled out of the high-profile showdown due to a hamstring injury, leaving the Commanders at a disadvantage.
Kelce had nothing but good things to say about Washington in the most recent episode of his “New Heights” podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce. The Kansas City TE said he believes the Commanders are a “talented football team” that will be ready for their time in the spotlight come Monday night.
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Kelce, however, singled out one player he’s excited to see.
“I get to see my guy [Zach] Ertz, baby,” Kelce said. “I get to see him in the flesh. I haven’t seen my guy in forever. One of my favorite tight ends. Obviously, we came into this thing together back in ’13.”
As Kelce said, he and Ertz entered the league at the same time. Ertz was drafted as the 35th overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Ertz and Kelce have never been teammates in the NFL, but it is clear that the Chiefs star has nothing but admiration for his fellow tight end.
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“It’s just when I see the guys that I came in with in the league, and they’re still balling, they’re still making an impact, it gets me [expletive] fired up,” Kelce said. “I know Ertz is going to make some [expletive] plays come Monday night.”
Ertz is in his second season with the Commanders. In seven games played this year, the former Stanford Cardinal star has 23 receptions for 229 yards and four TDs.
It’s Kelce and the Chiefs who will host Monday’s prime-time showdown. Kickoff from Arrowhead Stadium will be at 8:15 p.m. ET and will be televised on ABC and ESPN.
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Related: Travis Kelce Announces Plans for After 13th NFL Season With Chiefs
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.