Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce is crushed by the recent developments that COVID-19 has brought to the NFL landscape, with two members of the defending Super Bowl team not participating in the 2020 season.

Kelce, 30, told the media on Thursday during the Chiefs' training camp, which opened on Tuesday, July 28, that he respects the decisions of his teammate (via The Athletic's Nate Taylor).

Two players on the Chiefs have opted out of the 2020 campaign: running back Damien Williams and right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Williams' departure in 2020 could spell a breakout season for incoming rookie rusher Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the Chiefs' first-round pick of the NFL Draft last April out of national champion LSU.

Meanwhile, the pass protection for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes may be limited given that a starting offensive lineman in Duvernay-Tardif will not play this season.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach released a statement earlier this week expressing a similar respect as Kelce to Williams (via CBS Sports):

“As an organization, we certainly understand and respect Damien's choice, knowing it was made in the best interest of his family,” Veach said in a statement. “He means a lot to our football team as a player and a person, and we're going to miss having him around this season.”

The Chiefs no doubt still have a ton of firepower entering the 2020 campaign, with Mahomes locked up on a 10-year extension, which will go into place following the conclusion of the former Texas Tech standout gunslinger's rookie contract.

However, the loss of Williams—a speedy rusher who contributed 711 total yards of offense in 11 regular-season games in 2019—is significant, especially with the unproven rookie Edwards-Helaire earning the featured back role.