Pro Football Rumors
FEBRUARY 8: In spite of Kelce’s remarks from earlier this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports his situation is still uncertain. The four-time All-Pro is expected to take time this offseason to contemplate his future, with Rapoport adding the outcome of tomorrow’s Super Bowl may play a role in Kelce’s decision.
A fourth Super Bowl ring would leave him with even less to accomplish in the NFL for 2025 and beyond, but Kansas City’s offense would of course have a major vacancy to fill in the event of a retirement call. Kelce’s commitment one way or the other should be known before free agency begins in mid-March, per Rapoport.
FEBRUARY 4: Rocketing into a position as one of the best-known American athletes over the past two years, Travis Kelce has used this Chiefs dynasty period to cement himself as one of the all-time tight end greats. While this is obviously an easier NFL period to accumulate receiving yards compared to past eras, the Kansas City tight end stands on his own tier in terms of 1,000-yard seasons at his position.
This season brought a second straight sub-1,000-yard showing for Kelce, who has shown decline signs. Kelce earned his 10th Pro Bowl nod but averaged a career-low (by a significant margin) 8.5 yards per catch this season. The 12th-year veteran still led the Chiefs in receiving yardage (823), but he is not the dominant force that powered the Chiefs to victory in 2022. Kelce, who also stands at or near the top in terms of playoff receiving statistics, is not eyeing retirement on the heels of this step back.
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The Chiefs gave Kelce a pay bump this offseason, adding $4MM in total and providing substantial guarantee protection. After the 2024 raise provided $17MM in guarantees at signing, most of his 2025 money is set to vest on Day 3 of the 2025 league year. Kelce’s $17MM-per-year deal still runs through the 2025 season, as the Chiefs did not add any new years to his contract — one initially agreed to in 2020.
It would stand to reason Kelce would want to keep going, even though he has secured lucrative opportunities off the field — thanks to his New Heights podcast (with recently retired brother Jason) and burgeoning movie career. But Patrick Mahomes‘ longtime security blanket is aiming to play beyond this contract.
“I love doing this; I love coming into work every day. I feel like I still have a lot of good football left in me. We’ll see what happens,” Kelce said, adding he would like to play beyond the 2025 season. “*I know I’ve been setting myself up for other opportunities in my life. That’s always been the goal, knowing football only lasts for so long. You have to find a way to get into another career and another profession. I’ve been doing that in my offseason. But for the most part, I plan on being a Kansas City Chief...
