The Kansas City Chiefs gave Travis Kelce a reported “soft deadline” of March 14 to reach a decision over his future: either a 13th season in the NFL, or a new foray away from the gridiron in retirement.
It is a huge decision for Kelce to make, especially after he endured the worst statistical season of his career in 2024. Even though the Chiefs reached the Super Bowl for the third year in a row, Kelce’s 823 receiving yards and three touchdowns were career lows in the regular season, and the Philadelphia Eagles limited him to 39 yards on four catches during Super Bowl LIX — leading to significant speculation that the Chiefs’ 40-22 loss that night would represent his 200th and final NFL contest.
Chiefs say Kelce is coming back in 2025
But Kelce isn’t done yet. Speaking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach revealed that Kelce “still has that fire” to compete, and all parties “assume” that the 35-year-old will return in 2025 for his 13th NFL season.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Kelce — who would enter the final year of his contract in 2025 — was unsure at first whether he wanted to stay with the Chiefs after such a difficult 2024 season. But Kansas City has continued to back Kelce despite his struggles last season — and the salary cap constraints that the franchise is facing.
The NFL family will be delighted to hear of Kelce’s return to the field in 2025 — not just because of the tight end’s legendary status, but because his pop star girlfriend Taylor Swift will continue to bring in big bucks for the most popular sports league in the United States. It is estimated that Swift’s presence at Chiefs games in 2023 and in 2024 has brought in $1 billion and prompted an unexpected salary cap spike for all 32 of the NFL’s franchises.
So while things in Kansas City could look a little different next year — the Chiefs have 20 pending free agents — the trio of Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, and Andy Reid appears to be gearing up for “one last dance” together.
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