Kansas City Chiefs GM Hints At What Travis Kelce Will Do For 2025 NFL Season

With speculation mounting over Travis Kelce’s future, fans have been eagerly awaiting word on whether the Kansas City Chiefs star tight end will return for another season.

Retirement rumors gained traction following the Chiefs’ heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, especially after Kelce’s production saw a noticeable decline during the 2024 season.

Despite the buzz, Travis Kelce has yet to make an official decision, but the Kansas City Chiefs general manager thinks he knows what will happen.

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach weighed in on the situation during the NFL Combine on Tuesday, revealing that, as far as he knows, Kelce does not intend to retire.

According to Veach, the tight end seemed eager to get back on the field during exit interviews, showing no signs of stepping away from the game.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, meanwhile, played it safe when asked about Kelce’s future, saying the most important thing right now is for the 34-year-old to take time off and recharge after a grueling season.

On the February 12 episode of his "New Heights" podcast, the four-time Super Bowl champion addressed the speculation, emphasizing that he’s in no rush to commit to a plan for 2025.

"I know everybody wants to know whether or not I’m playing next year, and right now I’m just kicking everything down the road," Kelce said. "I’m not making any crazy decisions, but right now, the biggest thing is just being there for my teammates and being there for my coaches, understanding that a lot goes into this thing."

"I’m gonna take some time to figure it out," he added. "I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back, it’s gonna be something that’s a wholehearted decision. It’s just whether or not I’m motivated or if it’s the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person, to take on all that responsibility."

However, his older brother, recently retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, believes that Travis has already made up his mind, even if he hasn’t shared it publicly.

"I think he probably, in his heart, already knows what he wants to do," Jason said on "The Steam Room" podcast. "That's the reality of it."

"I'm sure we will talk about it. We've already talked about it a little bit, and I'm sure he's going to go through a process of figuring that out," Jason explained. "We're very similar people, but we also have different ways of thinking about things."

While speculation about his future continues, only Kelce can put the retirement rumors to rest. However, if Jason’s insight is accurate, the Chiefs may already know the answer and they’re just waiting for Travis to make it official.

Kelce remains one of the NFL’s top tight ends, but his numbers dipped in 2024 compared to previous years. While he managed 97 receptions, four more than last season, his total yardage dropped to a career-low 823. He also recorded just three touchdowns, another personal low.

In Super Bowl LIX, Philadelphia’s defense effectively neutralized Kelce, limiting him to just four catches for 39 yards on six targets.

Meanwhile, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes struggled to find a rhythm as he was sacked six times, preventing Kansas City’s offense from gaining momentum.

Despite a dip in his stats, the Kansas City Chiefs remain hopeful that Kelce will return for another season. However, according to The Athletic’s Nate Taylor, the coaching staff is considering a shift in Kelce’s role, requiring him to adapt his game.

Rather than serving as the offense’s primary weapon, the Chiefs reportedly envision Kelce transitioning into more of a supporting role, helping to complement Patrick Mahomes and the team’s younger playmakers.

While Kelce has yet to announce his next move, the Chiefs organization seems confident he’ll return for at least one more season. But with a long offseason ahead, the decision ultimately rests with him.