After the Kansas City Chiefs’ tough Super Bowl loss to the Eagles, Travis Kelce has yet to officially announce whether he will return for his 13th season in the NFL.
While the tight end, 35, kept his options open on the “New Heights” podcast following the game, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach seems optimistic that Kelce will be back for another year.
Chiefs GM Expresses Confidence in Kelce’s Return
During the NFL Combine on Tuesday, Veach addressed the media, stating that the team is “excited” to have Kelce back.
He dismissed the idea of retirement, saying, “How we left at the end of the season is that he was fired up.
He has one more year under contract.”
Veach also added that he believes Kelce still has the “fire and desire” to keep playing, and there is no set timeline for his decision.
Kelce’s current contract includes a $12.5 million roster bonus if he remains on the Chiefs’ roster as of March 15, a significant incentive for the tight end to return.
Andy Reid’s Take on Kelce’s NFL Future
Head coach Andy Reid, while less certain about Kelce’s decision, shared his advice for the veteran tight end.
Reid told reporters that he encouraged Kelce to “get out of town and relax” after the demanding Super Bowl season.
The two had a chance to speak during the team’s exit interviews, but Reid remained tight-lipped about Kelce’s future plans.
Reid’s perspective seems to echo the general belief that Kelce will likely continue playing, with Dianna Russini from The Athletic recently sharing on the Rich Eisen Show that there’s “definitely a sense” that Kelce will return for another season.
Kelce’s Season and Super Bowl Performance
In 2024, Kelce ranked fifth among tight ends with 823 receiving yards, though this marked his lowest total since 2014.
His performance in the Super Bowl was also quieter than usual, as he caught just four passes for 39 yards in the Chiefs’ 40-22 defeat to the Eagles.
Despite these numbers, Kelce has expressed in the past that he hopes to continue playing for a few more years.
Kelce’s Uncertainty After Super Bowl Loss
However, following the Chiefs’ disappointing Super Bowl loss, Kelce was more reflective about his future.
He mentioned on the “New Heights” podcast that he would “take some time to figure it out.”
He emphasized that if he decides to return, it would need to be a wholehearted decision for the benefit of both himself and his teammates.
“I think I can play,” Kelce said, “it’s just whether or not I’m motivated or if it’s the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility.”
As fans and teammates eagerly await Kelce’s decision, it seems that the Chiefs remain confident that their star tight end will return for another season.