Brett Veach, the General Manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, announced on Tuesday that the team is planning for the return of veteran tight end Travis Kelce in 2025. According to Veach, Kelce has shown a strong desire and passion to continue playing.
"How we left at the end of the season is that he was fired up," Veach mentioned at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. "I think we left it as he'd be back, and we’re excited to get him back and get him going."
Meanwhile, Coach Andy Reid was more cautious about Kelce's future during his commentary at the combine. Reid advised Kelce to take some time off to relax and reflect after the Chiefs' Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles before deciding whether to continue his career or retire.
"For right now, I think that's what he's doing," Reid stated.
Kelce, now 35, indicated his intention to play again in 2025 during multiple interviews in the week leading up to the Super Bowl. However, he expressed uncertainty about his future on his New Heights podcast after the game.
"I know everybody wants to know whether I'm playing next year, and right now, I'm just kicking everything down the road," Kelce said on February 12. "I'm kicking every can I can down the road. I'm not making any crazy decisions."
One crucial factor in Kelce's decision is an $11.5 million roster bonus due on March 15, which would be activated in the final year of his contract. However, Veach mentioned that there is no strict deadline for Kelce to make his decision.
In Super Bowl LIX, Kelce managed four catches for 39 yards during the Chiefs' 40-22 loss to the Eagles, a game that thwarted Kansas City's chance for a three-peat. This concluded a challenging season for Kelce, where he recorded career lows in receiving yards (823) and touchdowns (3), except for his rookie year where he played just one game. Despite this, he led the Chiefs with 97 receptions.
