Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been one of the defining players of his era, but his NFL future is now uncertain.
Following a very disappointing performance in Sunday’s Super Bowl, where he managed just four catches for 39 yards in the Chiefs’ 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Kelce has a major decision to make – return for a 13th season or step away from the game.
On Wednesday’s episode of his New Heights podcast, Kelce opened up about where he stands in the decision-making process.
“I’m going to take some time to figure it out,” Kelce said. “I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back that it’s going to be a wholehearted decision and I’m not half-ass it, and I’m fully here for them.
“I think I can play, it’s just whether or not I’m motivated or it’s the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility.”
At 35 years old, Kelce has accomplished nearly everything a player could dream of – three Super Bowl rings, multiple Pro Bowl selections, and a legacy as one of the greatest tight ends of all time.
If the Chiefs had managed to pull off an unprecedented three-peat, it may have been the perfect note to go out on.
Instead, Kelce now must decide whether to chase a fourth ring or transition into the next phase of his life – potentially focusing on his budding media career, acting opportunities, and high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift.
While Kelce himself says he’s undecided, some inside the Chiefs’ organization believe retirement may be his next move.
NFL Network’s James Palmer shared insight from team sources during an appearance on Up & Adams with Kay Adams.
“I contacted a couple of people in the organization Sunday morning,” Palmer said. “I wanted to know about the speeches, and they were like, ‘Well Travis cried, but he cried last year.’
“I was trying to get a gage on his speech to the team on Saturday night, and I was like, ‘What’s your gut?’ And they were both like, ‘My gut tells me this is it, but he hasn’t said anything in either direction to anybody here.
“We know he really loves coming to work. We know he actually really enjoys being here in the building.’”
If Kelce does return, it likely won’t be at his current salary.
He carries a $19.8 million cap hit for 2025, including an $11.5 million roster bonus due on March 15. Given his significant decline in production this past season, a renegotiated deal or contract restructuring may be necessary.
Kelce posted the worst statistical season of his career, setting new career-lows in receiving yards (823), touchdowns (3), yards per reception (8.5), and yards per game (51.4).
Despite his struggles, the Chiefs still believe he can contribute, though some in the organization have acknowledged that he has lost a step.
“The people in the building believe he has lost a step,” Palmer revealed. “They still believe he can completely play. There’s so much on the other side as well. There’s a lot really on his shoulders in what’s next.
“Do you keep playing because it’s what you know? This is a massive decision, and it’s a massive decision for the future of the organization. Tyreek Hill leaving was one thing, this is a completely other thing for Patrick [Mahomes] and Andy Reid.”
For now, Kelce is taking a wait-and-see approach.
His decision will have massive implications – not just for himself, but for Mahomes, the Chiefs’ offense, and the team’s future aspirations.
There are many who believe that Kelce had planned to propose to Taylor Swift after winning on Sunday. Of course, not only did the Chiefs not win, they got their doors completely blown off.
We may never know for sure if he was planning to propose or not. But if he was, the Chiefs (with the help of his own doing) completely ruined the plan.
What are your thoughts on Kelce’s future? … Do you think he will end his career on such a sour note???
