Travis Kelce has achieved everything a player would want to achieve in the NFL. Hence, the talk of his retirement after the Super Bowl 59 loss did not come as a surprise to many.
However, the tight end has not yet made a firm call. Apart from his fans, the Kansas City Chiefs would also want that decision to be made as quickly as possible with more than $11 million on the line.
Travis Kelce’s Retirement Decision Could Cost the Chiefs Big Bucks
Kelce signed a contract extension last year with the Chiefs that allows both parties room to navigate. However, with retirement on the line, a deadline of March 15 has emerged for them.
Currently, the Chiefs are carrying over $2.5 million of Kelce’s contract payout as cap space in 2025. However, ESPN’s Dan Graziano pointed out that it could balloon up to $14 million if Kelce decides to retire after March 15.
“Kelce is scheduled to earn $17 million this season,” wrote Graziano in his column. “Of that, $4.5 million is salary, $11.5 million is a roster bonus due on the third day of the league year and the remaining $1 million is a roster bonus due on August 1.
“So if he’s still on the roster on March 15 (third day of the league year) and decides to retire after that, the Chiefs would have already paid him $11.5 million to not play.”
While Kelce remained noncommittal during a recent podcast appearance, the clock is ticking for the three-time Super Bowl champion.
NFL Insider Revealed Kelce’s Plans
As soon as the 35-year-old highlighted that he will decide on his gridiron future in the coming days, the whole world is trying to guess which way he is leaning. NFL insider Adam Schefter provided answers on his eponymous podcast.
“As of today, my understanding is he is leaning towards coming back to play again,” Schefter said on Monday, Feb. 17. “That’s not how he wants to end his NFL career.”
Many have expressed their wishes that Kelce should come back, including NFL legends and his Chiefs teammates. Only time will tell if we have seen the last of Kelce on the pitch or not.