The Kansas City Chiefs are done licking their wounds following their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl. They are looking forward to the 2025 season, and Chiefs star Chris Jones has a message for Travis Kelce. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid spoke optimistically about Kelce, 35, possibly returning.
Jones made it clear where he stands.
Chiefs’ Chris Jones Sends Strong Message to Travis Kelce Amid Pending Decision
Travis Kelce’s Pending Decision Draws Reaction From Chris Jones
“My dawg got to come back,” Jones said in a post on X on February 25, “we got unfinished business.”
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid share an update from the NFL combine on Travis Kelce’s future with Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/NnqTiLTKHt
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 25, 2025
Notably, Kelce’s brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, retired following the 2023 season.
Jones and Kelce have been teammates since 2016, winning three Super Bowls in five trips together. Between them, there are a combined 13 Pro Bowl appearances and 7 First-Team All-Pro selections.
Replacing either could prove a tall task.
That is not a concern with Jones, who agreed to a five-year, $158.7 million contract extension in March 2024.
The Chiefs’ title window likely remains open with or without Kelce, so long as Patrick Mahomes is under center. Still, the veteran tight end was productive, finishing the 2024 season with 97 receptions, 823 yards, and 3 touchdowns during the regular season.
He also posted a 13-175-1 line during the playoffs.
Travis Kelce’s Pending Decision of Retirement Will Impact Chiefs’ Finances
Kelce’s decision will impact the Chiefs personnel-wise and their salary cap. The Chiefs will be on the hook for just $2.5 million – the prorated signing bonus he is due – if Kelce retires.
Kelce is currently on the books for $19.8 million on an expiring two-year, $34.2 million contract.
If he decides to return, a new deal could be in order to alleviate some of the cap constraints on the Chiefs. Over The Cap projects the Chiefs will have $7.9 million to spend this offseason before making any other moves.
An extension could create up to $12.8 million in additional room, per OTC. However, Kelce is clearly closer to the end of his career than continuing, making that a risky proposition.
Chiefs TE Group Less Daunting Without Travis Kelce
Kelce ranked third in receptions and fifth in yards among tight ends during the regular season, and his connection with Mahomes is irreplicable.
However, while the Chiefs would surely miss Kelce, they have not exactly ignored the position behind him with 2021 fifth-round pick Noah Gray coming on strong with 437 yards and 5 TDs on 40 receptions.
Gray is not the dynamic receiver Kelce once was.
He has proven to be a reliable target for Mahomes, who has done well to spread the ball around to his “other” playmakers in recent seasons. That should brace everyone for the day when Kelce officially steps away.
Things get sketchier behind Gray, where the Chiefs have 2024 fourth-rounder Jared Wiley and veteran Anthony Firsker under contract for next season.
The Chiefs hold the No. 32 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren – the top prospects in the class at the position – both figure to be long gone by then. But options like Gunnar Helm and Elijah Arroyo could be available later on and help smooth the transition from Kelce, be it this offseason or in the future.
Main Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
