Travis Kelce’s retirement decision confirmed by Pat McAfee as he breaks huge update on Chiefs icon’s future
Travis Kelce is definitely coming back to the Kansas City Chiefs next season, according to ESPN’s Pat McAfee.
While strongly hinting that the three-time Super Bowl winner was his source for this information, McAfee claimed he was told via text message: ‘My dog!!! I’m coming back for sure.
‘Gonna try and get to the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop,’ McAfee’s mysterious source continued, curiously writing in the first person. ‘Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and how I got the guys ready for battle. I can’t go out like that!!!!’
Kelce only managed four receptions in the heavy defeat to the Eagles while also dropping two passes.
The 35-year-old was noncommittal about his playing future after his team’s Super Bowl loss to the Eagles, saying on his subsequent New Heights podcast that he would ‘take some time to figure it out.’
But if he is still on Kansas City’s roster by March 15, he will receive a $12.5million roster bonus, according to Spotrac. That figure would come in addition to the $4.5million in base salary he is set to receive in 2025.
Taylor Swift, left, and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce walk off the field after the trophy ceremony following the Chiefs’ 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC title game
McAfee, who does know Kelce, claimed a source told him the Chiefs star is returning
If Kelce retired – or was cut by the team – it would save the Chiefs $17million in cap space .
And if Kelce does choose to hang his cleats up, he is expected to inform the Chiefs of that decision before the bonus kicks in.
The Athletic previously reported that the Chiefs want to know whether Kelce is playing or retiring around March 14 – the day before the sum would be awarded to the player.
That date is also about five weeks before the NFL Draft – where the Chiefs could look for a tight end to groom behind him.
Kelce was fifth among tight ends in 2024 with 823 receiving yards, though that total was his lowest since his sophomore season in 2014.
The tight end also hauled in just three touchdowns this season and was quiet in Super Bowl LIX, catching four passes for 39 yards in his team’s 40-22 loss.
However, the latest indications are that he will continue playing , as revealed by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini earlier this week.
Speaking on the Rich Eisen Show , Russini said that, from conversations she’s had, there’s ‘definitely a sense’ that Kelce will continue playing.
