Is tight end Travis Kelce returning to play for the Chiefs in 2025? The answer, for now, is still not totally clear.
Kelce has not yet made an official announcement on his intentions to continue playing football next season as rumors of his potential retirement continue to swirl. But in the meantime, several comments from NFL personnel and media members have indicated that a return is more likely than not.
On Tuesday, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach told NFL Network, ‘We anticipate Travis being back … and that’s how we’re operating this offseason.’
Veach also expressed that they believe Kelce can still contribute at a high level both on and off the field for the Chiefs. The veteran tight end’s poor performance in Kansas City’s Super Bowl loss to the Eagles, Veach said, could be explained in part by an illness that Kelce was battling that week.
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Two days later, ESPN host Pat McAfee shared that his ‘source(s)’ told him that Kelce is ‘coming back for sure.’
McAfee’s source, who ostensibly is Kelce himself, said, ‘[I’ve] got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game, and how I got the guys ready for battle. I can’t go out like that!!!!’
To reiterate, Kelce still has not made any official public comment himself, so any speculation about his return thus far should be taken with a grain of salt. If he returns, the 35-year-old would be entering his 13th season in the NFL, a career length that would match his brother, former Eagles center Jason Kelce.
Travis is coming off of the least productive season of his career outside of a rookie season that featured only one snap. He finished 2024 with career-low marks in yards (823) and touchdowns (3) on 133 targets and 97 receptions.
Still, the tight end has been a crucial part of the Chiefs’ offense since his first year healthy in 2014.
Kelce was named to his 10th straight Pro Bowl this past season and is a seven-time All-Pro, with four appearances on the first team and three on the second team. He is also a three-time Super Bowl champion and the holder of five Chiefs franchise records, including career receptions (1,004), receiving yards (12,151) and receiving touchdowns (77).