Travis Kelce’s final chapter could lead Chiefs to rewrite their jersey retirement rules

The Kansas City Chiefs have been blessed with tremendous, record-breaking tight ends throughout the last 30 years thanks to Tony Gonzalez (1997–2008) and Travis Kelce (2013–?). The former is already enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, while the latter is a future first-ballot selection himself.

But the clock is ticking for Kelce—literally—and although all of Chiefs Kingdom wishes they could give up whatever necessary to keep the four-time All-Pro tight end in a Chiefs jersey forever, it's looking like this could be the last season Kelce puts on #87 on the field.

Which begs the question: Could it be the final season that any Kansas City Chief exits the tunnel wearing a red-and-gold #87?

It's not crazy to think that when you look at the 10 Pro Bowl selections, three Super Bowl trophies, and the fact that Kelce is already on the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-Decade Team of the 2010s alongside players like Adrian Peterson, Tom Brady, and former Chiefs teammate Eric Berry.

The only problem is that the Chiefs already have ten jersey numbers retired, some of which were secured years and years after their exit from the game, while others, for obvious reasons, were retired instantaneously.

Even though Kansas City has the fourth-most retired jerseys—the Bears have 14, the Giants have 13, and the 49ers have 12), that doesn't mean they can be frivolous with their jersey retirements. But for Kelce, there could easily be some wiggle room. The only question is when?

If Clark Hunt and the Chiefs organization agree, they could very simply retire his number this upcoming offseason—depending on Kelce's looming decision—or they could hold off a few years while a rookie or free agent possibly sports the number. No matter the timeline, where would Kelce compare to some of the other Chiefs legends who locked up their jersey numbers with their play on the field?

The Ten (+1) before Kelce:

Before we see Kelce's iconic #87 possibly become the eleventh retired number, it's important to know who else would share this honor with the Chiefs' all-time receiving leader (1,004 receptions, 12,151 yards, 77 touchdowns). Not only that, their enshrinement dates speak loudly about how the Chiefs could handle the situation when it finally occurs.

#3 - Jan Stenerud

The smallest number, yet one of the biggest names in Chiefs history. Also, one of the best kickers in AFL or NFL history, and the first kicker to ever be elected into the Hall of Fame. Stenerud was an obvious selection after 13 years in Kansas City, both pre- and post-merger in 1967.

Stenerud helped Kansas City win their very first Super Bowl in 1969—a huge plus when deciding which jerseys to retire—and led the league in field goals made three separate times (1967, ’70, ’75), as well as field goal percentage in four seasons (’68, ’69, ’81, ’84), with two of them coming in Kansas City.

Even with the six Pro Bowls, six All-Pro/All-AFL selections, the Super Bowl IV championship, and the 1969 AFL Championship, it took Lamar Hunt and the Chiefs until 1992—seven years after he retired—to remove the #3 jersey from circulation on the field.

Kelce is a lifer for Kansas City, playing all 12 seasons in red and yellow, and has more championships, all in a different era, playing a completely different position. So, with all the differences between a kicker from the ’60s and a tight end from the modern age, could we see Kelce wait seven years before #87 becomes unwearable in Kansas City? That doesn't seem likely.

#16 - Len Dawson

The world-famous quarterback of the Super Bowl IV champions. The man who unknowingly created one of the coolest sideline pictures of all time during halftime of that Super Bowl. The man truly deserving of having his jersey retired almost instantly after retiring from the sport with 14 years under his belt in Kansas City before heading to the radio booth to call his team's games for an extra 34 years.

Even with five seasons spent elsewhere (Pittsburgh, Cleveland), when people think of Dawson, they think of him in his red-and-white #16 jersey. That could be due to his Super Bowl MVP award, which paired nicely with the three AFL Championships, seven Pro Bowls, two All-Pro selections, and Walter Payton Man of the Year award before stepping away from football in 1975, a hefty trophy case for sure.

All of this screams immediate jersey retirement, but the number 16 became unavailable to future Chiefs beginning 12 years after his retirement in 1987, the same year he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

With all the awards and the history behind the legend of "Lenny" Dawson, it's truly unbelievable that Patrick Mahomes has already achieved and surpassed all of Dawson's records in a Chiefs jersey. This is largely in part due to Kelce, who, for the entirety of Mahomes' young career, has been the best and most reliable option on the field.

Even though nobody ever wore Dawson's famed number before it was officially retired, it does make one wonder what anyone else in #16 would even look like... probably pretty weird, just like seeing somebody else rock the #87 in Arrowhead during the next few years while awaiting Clark Hunt's decision to retire it.

#18 - Emmitt Thomas

Emmitt Earl Thomas was one of nine Chiefs players from the ’60s and ’70s to have his number retired, his coming after spending all 13 seasons (1966–78) in one jersey: Kansas City's. He was decidedly one of the best cornerbacks that the league had seen at that time, racking up five Pro Bowls, one All-Pro selection, and helping Kansas City win two AFL championships and their first Super Bowl.

Thomas still holds the Chiefs' record for most interceptions (58), which is currently the ninth-most all-time in the NFL behind superstars like Paul Krause (81), Rod Woodson (71), and Ed Reed (64). He led the league in 1969 with nine interceptions, as well as in 1974 with 12, and ended his career with five touchdowns and nearly 1,000 career return yards over his time in the league(s).

Not only did Thomas dominate as a corner for the Chiefs, but he later spent eight years on the sideline (2010–2018) as Kansas City's defensive backs coach. This came after he was already inducted into Canton in 2008, the same year his number was retired by the Chiefs.

Again, it took the Hunt family decades to retire a number despite the insane amount of talent and trophies that Thomas brought to the organization. Surely it won't take them that long with Kelce, especially considering he has been one of the few faces of the team over the dynastic run they’ve had this past decade.

#28 - Abner Haynes

Abner Haynes spent only eight years in the sport, the first three as a Dallas Texan before the team transitioned to Kansas City, where he spent the next two seasons.

During those five short seasons as a Texan/Chief, Haynes led the league in rushing touchdowns three times and easily won the AFL Rookie of the Year award after leading the AFL in rush attempts (156), yards (875), and yards per game (62.5). That insane rookie year also earned Haynes the AFL's first-ever Player of the Year award as well. Amazingly, that wasn't even his best season, thanks to the Texans' final season before the rebrand.

Haynes' years in Denver, Miami, and New York didn't even come close to comparing to that 1962 season (or any of his years playing for the Hunt family), but that didn't stop the Chiefs from putting his name in Arrowhead's Hall of Honor.

With that said, the Hunt family and the Chiefs didn’t wait until Haynes was inducted into Canton before retiring his number—because he never was inducted. But Haynes’ outspoken ways—threatening boycotts and openly advocating for integration—made him even more of an icon.

Haynes’ number 28 was retired by the Chiefs in 1988, 21 years after retiring from the NFL. So, if Haynes, one of the biggest “what-ifs” in Chiefs history, took that long to make #28 his and his alone, then surely Kelce will not have to wait even half as long after 13+ seasons.

#33 - Stone Johnson

This is one of two Chiefs that are not comparable to Kelce—or any players, for that matter—as their number was retired posthumously and out of respect.

Stone Johnson was an Olympic sprinter before becoming the running back and kick returner for Kansas City in their first year after leaving Dallas. He was selected with the 105th overall pick out of Grambling State, and Lamar Hunt likely had very high hopes for him as a football player after seeing his speed at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.

Sadly, Johnson hurt his neck in a preseason game during his rookie season, which later on cost him his life less than two weeks later. And although he never played in an official game as a Chief, the team and ownership decided to keep #33 just for Johnson.

The number was immediately retired, meaning nobody has worn #33 for over 60 years. Kelce’s number could be retired the day after he announces his retirement, and it still wouldn’t compare in importance to Johnson’s.

#36 - Mack Lee Hill

If this name sounds familiar, it’s likely due to the Chiefs’ Mack Lee Hill Award, which is given to the team’s best rookie every single year. It’s because, much like Johnson, Hill had so much potential before sadly passing away far too early.

Hill was a fullback out of Southern University, rushing for 576 yards in his first season and 627 in his second, ending his two-year career with nine total touchdowns and 1,611 total yards from scrimmage.

Unfortunately, 13 games into his second season, Hill tore a knee ligament against Buffalo, which led to a surgery that ended with "a sudden and massive embolism" that took his life at 25 years old.

Again, this is unable to be compared to Kelce’s greatness and his number’s future retirement.

#37 - Joe Delaney

Technically, the former Chiefs running back's number is not retired, but nobody has worn the eccentric number since he died attempting to rescue children from drowning in a pond back in 1983.

His 1,121 rushing yards in his rookie season sparked hope in the Chiefs organization, and when his life was tragically cut short, it sent shockwaves throughout the NFL.

If Kelce’s #87 isn’t retired ASAP, it will likely be due to the Hunt family finally recognizing Delaney’s huge impact on the team’s history and the history of Kansas City.

#58 - Derrick Thomas

As if the last three numbers and names haven't been sad enough, the legacy of Derrick Thomas and his elite career are well-known. Thomas’ nine Pro Bowls in eleven seasons as a Chief were highlighted by a Defensive Rookie of the Year award, a Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination, and the league’s only seven-sack game.

Sadly, in January of 2000, Thomas was paralyzed in a car accident and later passed away from a blood clot. His number was retired in December of 2009, the same year he joined the other greats in Canton.

Just one more player that Kelce cannot look to for reference as to when #87 will be retired, simply because there will never be another Derrick Thomas.

#63 - Willie Lanier

Eight Pro Bowls in 11 seasons is almost unheard of for a linebacker in the ’60s and ’70s, but Lanier made it look easy. He finished his career with 27 interceptions, two touchdowns, and the nickname “Contact” thanks to his aggressive and impactful tackling.

It was largely in part to Lanier’s defensive leadership (as well as his seven tackles and one interception) that Kansas City was even able to win Super Bowl IV.

Lanier joined some of his teammates in Canton back in 1986, yet his number wasn’t retired by Kansas City until August 1992, near his 57th birthday. This is one player that can surely be comparable to Kelce, not only because of his dominance on the field but because of his ability to stay healthy throughout his entire career.

Much like Kelce, who has only missed his rookie season due to injuries and a handful of games due to rest, Lanier started and played in every single game for nine of his eleven seasons. Perhaps Kelce’s number won’t be retired until he’s nearing 60 years old too, but Lanier only won one Super Bowl and one AFL Championship, while Kelce has brought three Lombardi trophies back to Arrowhead.

#78 - Bobby Bell

Bell, another member of the NFL Hall of Fame, brought two AFL Championships and a Super Bowl trophy back to the Hunt family during his 12 seasons in the league, all of them in Kansas City.

One of the best linebackers in NFL history, Bell spent half his career in the AFL and the other half in the NFL, all the while racking up 26 interceptions, six touchdowns, and nine fumble recoveries.

His final season took place in 1974 after he turned 34 years old. He was enshrined in Canton in 1983 and had his number retired one year later, a decade after he took the jersey off for the last time. Hopefully, Kelce doesn’t have to wait a decade before #87 is unwearable.

#86 - Buck Buchanan

The final number that has been retired by the Hunt family and the Chiefs organization is the sixth to play for the Super Bowl IV-winning team. Buck Buchanan, who had his number retired right next to his teammate Lanier, was the first overall pick in the 1963 AFL Draft and spent all 13 of his playing years in Kansas City, just like Kelce.

Buchanan, one of the most recognizable defensive tackles from the early days of the NFL and later years of the AFL, accumulated nearly 71 sacks alongside his eight Pro Bowls and four All-Pro selections. Add in his Super Bowl ring and two AFL Championships—much like half the other Chiefs with retired numbers—and, amazingly, #86 was available to wear for nearly 20 years after he retired.

The superstar DT was inducted into Canton two years before his number was retired, which means Kelce might have to wait until his inevitable bust in Ohio before #87 is off the shelves for future tight ends and receivers in Kansas City.

What does this mean for Travis Kelce?

Well, based on the history of Kansas City and their decision-making when it comes to retiring numbers, it's likely that #87 will be available after Kelce retires for at least a few years.

But with the pull that Mahomes, Coach Reid, and the Kelce family have on the sports world inside Kansas City, it might not be that far of a stretch to say that #87 could be retired years before he even gets his gold jacket.

If so, the Chiefs would continue their record-breaking trend of having the most retired numbers for any AFL team.