Travis Kelce, regarded as one of the best tight ends in the NFL, has been a cornerstone player for the Kansas City Chiefs ever since he was selected in the 2013 NFL Draft. He has since won three Super Bowls and is currently third on the all-time list for most receiving yards by a TE.
NFL Fans on Chiefs GM’s Update on Travis Kelce’s Future
After seven seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, Kelce’s stats have started to slip. In 2023, he finished with 984 yards, 93 catches, and five scores. In his 2024 campaign, he had 823 yards, 97 catches, and three touchdowns.
Kelce turns 36 during the 2025 regular season, and his retirement is nearing. Some people have been wondering when he will decide to hang up the cleats.
However, during a Feb. 25 interview in Indianapolis, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said, “He’d be back next season. How we left at the end of the season is that he was fired up. He has one more year under contract, and (I) still think that he has that fire and desire to play. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no deadline. I think we left it as if he’d be back, and we’re excited to get him back and get him going.”
🚨JUST IN: Legendary tight end Travis Kelce is returning to the #Chiefs for one final season and will NOT BE RETIRING, per NFL Network.
“We’re excited to get him back and get him going.” – GM Brett Veach said.
Kelce had debated retiring, but is now back for his final season. pic.twitter.com/omCoFLQbmJ
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 25, 2025
Fans reacted to the news on X with some being frustrated.
“I love his game but he’s considerably slower than what he was in the past,” a user wrote.
“Dude is a legend but also a liability,” a fan opined.
Meanwhile, many fans were also happy about the GM’s comments.
The Last Dance pic.twitter.com/RMXv5JZpyP
— Jimmy Scoops (@jimkryjer) February 25, 2025
“Stay well…get rest, and I can’t wait to see you be awesome this next year!!!!🙆♂️!!!!!” a fan wished.
“This made my day!!!” another echoed.
Kelce has not directly talked about his future yet. However, after Super Bowl LIX, where his team’s quest for a three-peat came to an end, he said on his “New Heights podcast:
“I know everybody wants to know whether or not I’m playing next year, and right now, I’m just kicking everything down the road. I’m not making any crazy decisions. I’m gonna take some time to figure it out. And I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back, it’s a wholehearted decision. I’m not half-a***** it, and I’m fully here for them.”
Kelce still has a year left on the two-year contract he signed before last season, and as Veach put it, there is no upcoming deadline for him to commit to the next campaign.