After years of both personal and team dominance, could Travis Kelce’s NFL days be numbered?
The Kansas City Chiefs shocked the masses in 2025 when they missed the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era and since 2014. Star receiver Rashee Rice missed the club’s first six games of the season after he was suspended for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Travis Kelceās Future Remains in Question As Chiefs Look To Return to Glory
With Rice sidelined, the 36-year-old Kelce emerged as the top option once again, leading the team in receiving yards in 2025. Despite his presence amongst the club, it could be time for Kelce and the Chiefs to part ways.
The future of the 6’5″ tight end is one of the most notable stories of the 2026 offseason. With media and players alike weighing in, one former NFL executive spoke candidly on the matter. Ex-New York Jets general managerĀ turned NFL insider, Mike Tannenbaum, sees a clear path forward for Kansas City, one without Kelce.
“I would move on from Travis Kelce and let me tell you why,” said Tannenbaum. “When you’re in the front office, you have to project what a player is going to do, not what they’ve done. I’ve made that mistake countless times in my career.”
The founder of “The 33rd Team” continues by stating that while Kelce has had an incredible career, his days of immense impact are no longer.
“Travis Kelce is a first ballot Hall of Famer,” said Tannenbaum. “But when you watch him and make an honest and sober evaluation of his 2025 performance, clearly, his best days are behind him.
“We talk about their [Kansas City] lack of explosive plays. If I were Kansas City, I would make the right, albeit difficult decision, and move on from Travis Kelce. Probably get younger, faster, and more explosive at the tight end position.”
As Tannenbaum made his claim on the segment of SportsCenter, backlash from one of Kelce’s longtime teammates followed. Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones took to X, where he kept his response blunt, writing, “Shut up.”
Using PFSN’s NFL TE Impact Metrics, Kelce finished amongst the top 15 tight ends in 2025, potentially hindering Tannenbaum’s remark that his best days are behind him. Finishing fourth in targets and yards by tight ends, it is clear that Kelce continues to make a substantial impact on the Chiefs’ offense.
With plenty of young tight ends emerging across the league, can Kelce continue his productivity, or is it best that Kansas City move on and acquire a more youthful piece for Patrick Mahomes?
