The Kansas City Chiefs have a ton of their future up in the air after Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL on Sunday.
One narrative that will get louder in the final few weeks of the season, with the Chiefs already eliminated from the playoffs, is that of Travis Kelce's potential retirement.
It's been speculated throughout the season that this could be the last year of the great tight end's NFL career.
Now, though, things are quite different than Kelce likely imagined. There's no way he envisioned missing the playoffs this season. And he certainly wouldn't have pictured his quarterback going down like this.
MORE: ACL recovery timeline impacts when Patrick Mahomes, Micah Parsons will return
Does any of that change the calculus in Kelce's head? That's only for him and future wife Taylor Swift to know.
But there's a very real chance we get a view of what Kelce is thinking in the final three weeks of the regular season.
It's not even in what he says or doesn't say. It's in what the Chiefs do.
If they play Kelce in three meaningless games to close out the season, that feels like they're letting him get a few more moments in before signing off, without concern about the future.
If the Chiefs decide to sit Kelce down the stretch, that points toward a player who is trying to preserve his health to make another go at it next season.
MORE: Bills may not win the AFC East — but they sent a clear warning to the rest of the NFL
Of course, Kelce himself could come out and make a proclamation one way or the other. He could also decide one thing now and change his mind in the offseason (during which he'll get married on June 13).
But keep an eye on what the Chiefs do with Kelce these last few weeks. It could be very telling.
More NFL news:
- Jaxson Dart has a 50% head injury problem
- Trevor Lawrence had a game never before done by an NFL quarterback
- Mack Hollins really doesn't like wearing shoes
- Micah Parsons' injury doesn't look good
- Patrick Mahomes' injury has fans asking Tom Brady ACL question
- Commanders' All-Pro puts down fans' draft order concerns