Chiefs reportedly give Travis Kelce ultimatum for retirement decision

During the latest edition of his "New Heights" podcast, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce revealed he is "kicking every can I can down the road" regarding whether or not he will return for the 2025 season or retire. 

It appears the Chiefs will only let him kick that can for so long. 

"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," The Athletic's Nate Taylor and Cale Clinton reported on Thursday afternoon.

Shortly after Kelce put pen to paper on a two-year contract last spring, NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted that Kelce and the Chiefs could part ways as soon as this offseason because the $17.5M the future Hall of Famer is due becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the upcoming league year that opens on March 12. Kelce then recorded career lows of 823 receiving yards and three touchdown catches during this past regular season. 

Taylor and Clinton added that the Chiefs "are hoping" Kelce "decides to remain with the team for the 2025 season." However, he admitted during the recent "New Heights" episode that the "wear and tear" of being part of Kansas City's dynastic run has left him wondering if he is still fully "motivated" to pursue a fourth career Super Bowl ring.

Kelce may have learned he can still make millions of dollars per year while being part of the NFL without having to take crunching hits during games. Multiple media insiders have pointed out that the 35-year-old could receive a massive deal to serve as an analyst and ambassador for one of the league's media partners, in part because of his relationship with entertainment superstar Taylor Swift. 

Kelce has already accepted game-show host and acting gigs, and he's making a fortune due to the "New Heights" agreement that he and former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, Travis' brother, inked last year. 

Florio wrote on Thursday that "it will be a surprise if [Travis Kelce] does anything other than close the back cover on playing while opening the door on everything else that awaits." Fans won't have to wait long to learn of Kelce's plans if the Chiefs have any say in the matter.