Travis Kelce has considered retirement before, after Philadelphia prevented Kansas City winning a third straight Super Bowl last season.
He took time to see “whether I’m motivated or it’s the best decision for me” to return for the final year of his contract and “take on all of that responsibility”.
A month after making his fifth Super Bowl appearance in February, Kelce confirmed he would continue.
But the Chiefs have since looked a shadow of their former selves, being eliminated from play-off contention with three games of the regular season remaining.
Kelce’s future is one of the question marks hanging over Kansas City as they prepare to rebuild, and his brother Jason was asked during his media work with ESPN whether he had any advice.
“You’ve got to step away from the game for a little bit,” said the 2018 Super Bowl winner with the Eagles. “Play these three games, enjoy them, and then let it sink in. It’ll come to you with time.”
The first of those games at Tennessee on Sunday, though, was not very enjoyable. After Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending injury the week before, his back-up Gardner Minshew also got injured, so the Chiefs ended the game with third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun.
The Titans won 26-9 for their third victory this season and Kelce had just one reception for six yards as Kansas City slipped to a 6-9 record. Even if they win their final two games, it will be Andy Reid’s worst record in 13 seasons as their head coach.
