Travis Kelce's official deadline to make retirement decision is fast approaching after Chiefs' Super Bowl LIX loss

The biggest question of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2025 NFL offseason surrounds the future of 35-year-old TE Travis Kelce. 

The three-time Super Bowl champion, 10-time Pro Bowler, and seven-time All-Pro has a decision to make on his future after completing his 12th NFL season. The defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX has fueled speculation that Kelce has played his final NFL game, but we won't know for certain until he decides whether or not to call it a career. 

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes expects Kelce to take his time before making a decision about his future, but the team has a rapidly approaching "soft deadline" for that decision. 

Most of Chiefs TE Travis Kelce's 2025 roster bonus is due on the first day of the new league year 

You'll hear plenty of speculation about Kelce's retirement in the coming weeks, but you've always got to follow the money in the NFL. 

While he's certainly earned the right to take his time in making a retirement decision, the Chiefs will need a decision from Kelce by March 15, the third day of the 2025 NFL league year. Why do they need a decision by that day? According to the folks at OverTheCap, $11.5 million of his $12.5 million roster bonus for the 2025 NFL season is due on March 15. The other $1 million is due in August. Why does this matter? That $11.5 million roster bonus will count toward the Chiefs' 2025 salary cap. If Kelce's not playing in 2025, they will want those funds to help build the team in free agency. 

The two parties could agree to delay the roster bonus, but that wouldn't make Chiefs GM Brett Veach's life easier regarding free agency spending. Kelce could also decide to repay the bonus to Kansas City if he chooses to retire later. However, that won't help the Chiefs re-sign any key free agents or go after any outside free agents when the legal tampering period begins on March 10 and the new league year opens on March 12.

Kelce has always had a team-first mentality, often taking less than he could demand to help the team. He'll no doubt be aware of the ticking clock regarding the allocation of roster bonuses.

Update: The Chiefs have reportedly told Kelce they need a decision around March 14, the day before his $11.5 million bonus kicks in, per Nate Taylor and Cale Clinton of The Athletic.

If Kelce chooses to retire, the Chiefs, as they head into an intriguing offseason, want to know of his decision around March 14, according to a team source. Based on the deadline, the Chiefs are going to give Kelce a month to decide his future. Per The Athletic's Nate Taylor and Cale Clinton, the Chiefs have specifically told Kelce that they need a decision by March 14, the day before his $11.5 million roster bonus kicks in. - Nate Taylor and Cale Clinton, The Athletic

The message makes sense on the Chiefs' side of things. As mentioned earlier, March 14 is two days into the official start of free agency and four days removed from the start of the legal tampering period. So, the Chiefs not only need to have a solid plan for the tight end position, but they also need money to potentially sign guys and/or pay for the draft class, which could include a tight end selection.

Kelce's official decision, whether he stays or retires, helps across the board and in all scenarios.