Chiefs expect Travis Kelce to play in 2025

Travis Kelce has yet to make a firm declaration about his playing future. As the Chiefs await word on that front, they anticipate having him in the fold next year.

Unsurprisingly, head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach were asked on Tuesday about Kelce’s status. Neither confirmed the future Hall of Famer will play in 2025, but that is the team’s expectation. While Kansas City was recently connected to setting a deadline for a decision (March 14, early in the start of the new league year), Veach’s comments point to Kelce having all the time needed to commit one way or the other after recent conversations with the team.

“He has one more year under contract and still think he has that fire and desire to play,” Veach said of the 35-year-old (via Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk). “As far as I’m concerned, there is no deadline. I think we left it at he’d be back and we’re excited to get him back and get him going.”

Kelce’s 823 yards in 2024 marked his lowest total since his rookie year, and his yards-per-reception average (8.5) continued his notable decline in efficiency. Still, the four-time All-Pro has proven to be a reliable target throughout the Chiefs’ run of success, and he would be counted on to remain atop the depth chart if he were to suit up for a 13th campaign. Kelce is due $17.25M in 2025 with a scheduled cap hit of $19.8M.

Kansas City could lower the latter figure with a restructure, adding further void years to the 10-time Pro Bowler’s pact. A call on that front will, of course, not be needed until a final decision is made on Kelce’s part. There is no timeline for a 2025 commitment to be announced, but how Kelce decides to proceed will be critical as the Chiefs aim to make another Super Bowl run. Optimism is high in the organization, and he will remain available for at least one more campaign.