The Kansas City Chiefs have adopted a wait-and-see approach as veteran tight end Travis Kelce deliberates his football future, with the organization remaining in limbo just two months before the NFL draft regarding whether their 37-year-old star will remain on the team come training camp.
The standout player is contemplating a return for what would be his 14th professional season, having considered retirement during each of the last two offseasons.
“We’ve kind of prepared for either scenario,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. “We’re trying to position ourselves that either way, we have a plan moving forward.”
Veach indicated he would be sitting down with Kelce’s agents this week and acknowledged that “you need some sort of timeline and deadline,” while characterizing discussions with his representatives as “positive.”
Head coach Andy Reid mentioned maintaining regular communication with Kelce. The veteran player is scheduled to receive a $12.5 million roster bonus next month and carries a salary cap hit of nearly $20 million that Kansas City would likely need to restructure if he commits to playing through 2026.
During the previous season, Kelce recorded 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns, though his 76 catches marked his fewest since managing 72 receptions in 2015. The team’s backup tight end Noah Gray is also entering unrestricted free agency.
“Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back,” Veach said. “We’ll just kind of let that process play out. It’s not your typical 27-year-old first-time-in-free agency.
“Travis has done everything. He’s accomplished everything. He’s about to get married, got a lot going on. We’re just going to continue to have positive dialog and see where this thing ends.”
