The Kansas City Chiefs are left reeling after a crushing Super Bowl 2025 defeat, but one of their star players is now at the center of an even bigger discussion. As Travis Kelce weighs his future in the NFL, his teammates are making their case for him to give it one more run.
Defensive end Charles Omenihu, a free agent himself, openly pleaded for Kelce to return for another season, emphasizing that the franchise cannot let this be the way they go out. Speaking on FS1’s The Facility, Omenihu sent a direct message to the veteran tight end.
“Trav, big dog, we can’t end it like that,” Omenihu stated. “The whole organization needs you back.”
At 35 years old, Kelce is reaching an age where few NFL players remain active, especially at his position. His future remains uncertain, with a lucrative off-field career that includes a successful podcast and a high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift pulling him in other directions. Kelce has yet to announce whether he will retire or return, recently stating he’s “just pushing everything down the road.”
A decision is expected soon, with a key contract date looming. The three-time Super Bowl champion is set to receive an $11.5 million roster bonus on March 14, giving him about a month to make up his mind.
Omenihu, however, tried to sweeten the case for a comeback, arguing that the Chiefs are well-positioned to bounce back next season. While his own future in Kansas City is uncertain, he believes the franchise is already moving to strengthen its roster.
“We’ve got guys returning-Rashee [Rice] is coming back healthy, which will be huge for the offense,” Omenihu noted. “Coach [Andy] Reid and [GM] Brent [Veach] are always ahead of things, fixing whatever went wrong. Nothing gets overlooked here.”
The Chiefs are still a top team in the NFL
Despite the disappointing Super Bowl loss, the Chiefs remain one of the most dominant teams in the NFL, making five Super Bowl appearances in the past six seasons. And for Omenihu, one factor makes the choice clear.
“We’ve still got Pat [Mahomes],” he added. “That means we’re always in the hunt.”
Whether Kelce sees it the same way remains to be seen, but the Chiefs aren’t ready to move forward without him just yet.
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