Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had hopes of ending his storied career with a three-peat, experiencing NFL history as the first-ever team to win the Super Bowl in three consecutive seasons. Instead, the Chiefs experienced one of the ugliest losses in Super Bowl history and it might’ve ended Kelce’s career.
The 35-year-old tight end was already coming off a career-worst season. While he recorded 97 receptions, Kelce finished with a career-worst 8.5 yards per reception and just 3 touchdowns in 16 games. Kansas City hoped he could turn it on in the NFL playoffs, helping lead the team to another championship.
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- Travis Kelce stats 2024 (ESPN): 97 receptions, 823 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns
After a great performance in the Divisional Round – 7 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown – he was a non-factor in the final two playoff games. In the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LIX, Kelce totaled just 6 receptions for 58 yards on 10 targets. Following the loss, he shared that retirement is on the table but he won’t have very long to contemplate his future.
According to The Athletic‘s Cale Clinton and Nate Taylor, the Chiefs organization is giving Kelce until around March 14 to decide on his future. While Kansas City wants the future Hall of Famer to have some time to think over his options, the club is requesting a final call within the next month.
There’s a specific reason for that timeline. As highlighted by Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac, Kelce is owed an $11.5 million roster bonus on March 14 and there’s an additional $1 million bonus due at training camp. If Kelce retires by March 14, the Chiefs would be left with a $2.5 million dead cap compared to a $19.8 million cap charge if he decides to play another season.
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As for Kelce’s own perspective on his looming decision, he shared on the New Heights podcast that he is going to take his time contemplating whether or not he’ll return for the 2025 campaign.
“I know everybody wants to know whether or not I‘m playing next year. Right now I am just kicking everything down the road. I am kicking every can I can down the road. I’m not making any crazy decisions, but right now, the biggest thing is just being there for my teammates and being there for my coaches, understanding that there’s a lot that goes into this thing.”
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on whether or not he’ll retire (via New Heights podcast)
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- Travis Kelce career stats: 1,004 receptions, 12,151 receiving yards, 77 touchdowns in 175 regular-season games played
It’s worth noting that Kelce’s comments are similar to the ones former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce made before he retired. There’s also a general belief that a player who is already concerned about not wanting to deliver a half-hearted effort on the field, which Kelce is concerned about, is ready to retire. As of now, it appears we might’ve seen one of the best NFL players of this generation take the field for the final time.
