One of the biggest topics of the NFL offseason will undoubtedly be whether or not Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce decides to retire.
The 35-year-old pass-catcher is fresh off one of the worst performances of his career (four catches, 39 yards) in KC’s 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59 on Sunday, and many expect the All-Pro TE to take a few weeks and weigh the pros and cons of returning for his 13th NFL season.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the day before the Super Bowl that the outcome of that game would factor into Kelce’s decision, and Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports recently pinpointed March 15 as a “soft deadline” for Kelce’s decision with his $11.5 million roster bonus set to kick in then.
If Kelce does call it ca career, that money would go a long way in helping the Chiefs build their 2025 roster. With several acting roles and a likely marriage to girlfriend Taylor Swift waiting for Kelce in his post-football life, the 10-time Pro Bowler has plenty to think about as Chiefs fans wait to see if Sunday’s Super Bowl blowout was Kelce’s swan song.
But as ESPN analyst Ryan Clark recently pointed out, Kelce’s decision may come down to more than just what’s waiting for him in retirement.
If the desire is still there to play football like he told reporters it was during Super Bowl Media Day, Clark thinks Kelce will have to ask himself one important question.
“Isn’t Trav sort of in the same place our colleague and friend, his brother, Jason Kelce was in last year – still feeling like you can still do it and you still have it, but you know you don’t have it like you used to,” Clark stated. “
And it’s going to be based on whether or not Travis Kelce understands he’s a diminished player and is comfortable with that. …
It’s hard to go into a game (on Sunday), have two drops, not have any impactful catches or not have any impact on the game. ”
Can Travis Kelce go forward in 2025 and be that person, especially when so many lucrative opportunities await him in his second career?
Travis Kelce is going to have to take some time, sit down and know what sort of player he wants to be and what sort of life he wants to live, but he’s earned the right to take his time in doing so.” .
@RealrClark25 believes Travis Kelce’s future depends on whether he’s comfortable being a “diminished player” at this stage of his career pic.twitter.com/meYQXPWmvT — NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 10, 2025 No one would blame Kelce if he walked away; he has nothing left to prove.
His resume, which includes 10 Pro Bowls, seven All-Pro honors (four first-team, three second-team), three Super Bowl championships five NFL postseason records and five NFL regular-season records, is already Hall of Fame-caliber.
