Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce faces a difficult decision as he decides whether to retire or return for another season in the NFL. As he continues to mull that decision, it seems the Chiefs have already made their decision on Kelce.
Kelce’s contract with the Chiefs officially expires at the end of this season, meaning he’s technically set to hit free agency in March. That would allow him to sign with any team he chooses. It also means that Kansas City is under no obligation to bring him back next season.
Even so, Kelce has made it clear that if he does decide to keep playing, he can’t picture himself doing it anywhere but Kansas City, and he’s planning his decision accordingly.
“Seeing my brother go through it, and seeing how the league works, the season re-starts in April, and I want to give the Chiefs a good opportunity, whether I come back or not, and vice versa — whether they want me back or not,” Kelce said earlier this year. “I’d like to make that decision before they’ve got to get draft picks and free agency opens, or gives them an opportunity to fill the roster appropriately. All that will be at the end of the season. I won’t be thinking about it until then.”
Kelce was sure to make note that his decision hinged on “whether they want me back or not,” and this week, the Chiefs announced their decision on that matter.
During an appearance on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said the organization would gladly bring Kelce back if he chooses to return.
“Well as an organization, we certainly hope that he will come back,” Hunt said, via Pro Football Talk. “He had another great year, maybe not on par with where he was four or five years ago, but still had over 800 yards, and was really one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball for us. So there’s no doubt in my mind that he can still play. We’re trying to be respectful and let him have the time that he needs to make a decision.
“He has sort of a busy offseason coming up with his engagement and marriage, so we want to be respectful and give him the time he needs to make a decision. But we certainly hope that he’ll be back.”
As expected, Hunt’s comments quickly sparked plenty of reaction across social media.
“All the teams on kc schedule are hoping he comes back lol,” one fan wrote in a post on X.
“But can he play well? Is he the best Kansas City can get?” another fan asked.
“Can still play, sell merch and draw a crowd. That’s our 87,” someone else wrote.
“He’s developing an Aaron Rodger’s or LeBron James size ego. He wants to come back to avoid looking like a loser and to keep the Taylor Swift effect going for KC,” another fan wrote.
“The Chiefs are like the kid who peaked in high school. They just trying to relive the glory days while completely ignoring the future,” someone else said.
At the end of the day, Kelce’s decision remains up in the air. But it’s clear that the Chiefs would be more than happy to have him back if that’s what he chooses.