REPORT: Travis Kelce Tries to Lure Future Hall-of-Famer Out of Retirement for Chiefs
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is making an effort to entice a potential future NFL Hall-of-Famer out of retirement: three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.
As the 2024 NFL season approaches, the Kansas City Chiefs stand on the brink of achieving something unprecedented: securing three consecutive Super Bowl victories. With back-to-back championship triumphs, the Chiefs have asserted their dominance in the league. However, clinching a third consecutive title would etch their names in the annals of history.
During the offseason, the Chiefs have left no stone unturned in their quest for a potential three-peat, bolstering their roster by re-signing key defensive players and providing quarterback Patrick Mahomes with additional offensive weapons. Nevertheless, achieving a three-peat remains an immense challenge, as evidenced by the rarity of the feat in NFL history.
In light of this, it’s understandable that the Chiefs are exploring avenues to further strengthen their roster. On his recent podcast episode, Travis Kelce took the initiative to pursue additional reinforcements for the team.
Chiefs News: Travis Kelce Recruits Aaron Donald
On the most recent episode of the “New Heights” podcast, Travis Kelce took the opportunity to recruit three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. Despite the fact that Donald, a 32-year-old future Hall-of-Famer, officially announced his retirement earlier this month after an illustrious 10-season career with the LA Rams, Kelce didn’t let that deter him from making his pitch.
While congratulating the 10-time Pro Bowl defender on his retirement, Kelce extended an invitation to Donald, suggesting that he is welcome to join the Kansas City Chiefs if he desires another chance to compete for a Super Bowl ring.
coming soon 🎬 #rams #ad99 #ready #retirement #ddg pic.twitter.com/ozh8QDs0j7
— AD_99 (@AaronDonald97) March 20, 2024
“Shoutout to A.D. Unbelievable career, brother. If you want to win one more Super Bowl, [the Chiefs] will probably have some availability somewhere in December.”
The idea of Aaron Donald joining the Kansas City Chiefs is undoubtedly thrilling, even if it seems like a long shot. At 32 years old, Donald is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive tackles in NFL history, boasting an impressive resume that includes three Defensive Player of the Year awards, eight first-team All-Pro selections, and 10 Pro Bowl appearances over the past decade.
The Chiefs already possess one of the league’s top defenses, but adding Donald to the roster would undoubtedly elevate the unit to unprecedented levels. Despite being past his prime, Donald remains a formidable force on the field, as evidenced by his impressive statistics from last season: 28 solo tackles, eight sacks, and three defended passes. His performance even earned him a ninth-place finish in the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year voting.
However, persuading Donald to come out of retirement won’t be easy. When he announced his decision to step away from the game, he cited feeling “burnt out” but expressed satisfaction with his accomplished career. While the possibility of winning another Super Bowl ring might be enticing, it’s clear that Donald values his well-being and sense of fulfillment above all else. Perhaps if he hadn’t already won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2020, he might be more inclined to consider returning for another season.
The comparison to Tom Brady’s retirement retraction in 2022 is apt, suggesting that Aaron Donald’s decision may not be entirely definitive just yet. Travis Kelce’s willingness to explore the possibility of Donald returning for another season demonstrates his optimism and desire to strengthen the Chiefs’ roster.
Whether Kelce’s recruitment attempt is merely wishful thinking or the beginning of a significant development remains to be seen. However, it’s undeniable that the Chiefs’ pursuit of a three-peat appears promising regardless of Donald’s involvement. In fact, the team’s strong position is reflected in their second-best Super Bowl LIX odds on FanDuel Sportsbook. Should they manage to secure Donald’s services, those odds would likely present an exceptional value proposition, further enhancing their chances of achieving historic success.