The Chiefs are giving Travis Kelce a month to make a decision on his future. According to Nate Taylor and Cale Clinton of The Athletic, the Chiefs have set a March 14 deadline for Kelce to commit to the 2025 season.
While Kelce could try to squeeze more time from his team, the Chiefs do have some leverage via the tight end’s impending roster bonus. Kelce is due an $11.5MM bonus on March 15, and it’s no coincidence that the organization wants clarity before that date. Plus, free agency opens on March 10, so the Chiefs are already sacrificing some crucial roster certainty with this ultimatum.
The 2025 campaign will represent the final year of Kelce’s four-year, $57MM extension from 2020. The future Hall of Famer will be attached to a $19.8MM cap hit, more than half of which comes from that aforementioned roster bonus. While the Chiefs would surely welcome back Kelce regardless of the financials, that’s still a hefty cap charge, and our own Nikhil Mehta recently suggested that the front office could look to lower that hit via a cap-manipulating extension.
In his age-35 season, Kelce compiled some of the worst receiving numbers of his career. He finished the year with a career-low 51.4 yards per game, and his three touchdowns also marked a new career-low. Those numbers did see a jump when it mattered, as Kelce hauled in 13 receptions for 175 yards during the Chiefs’ three-game postseason run.
If Kelce does hang up his cleats, the Chiefs could look towards in-house options to fill the void. Former fifth-round pick Noah Gray finished the year with career-highs in receptions (40), receiving yards (437), touchdowns (five), and offensive snaps (664). This year’s TE free agency class mostly consists of complementary players, including Mike Gesicki and Juwan Johnson.
Taylor Swift gave Travis a March 13th as a deadline…..but that is for another matter
I’m surprised the NFL hasn’t made April 29th the official draft day in honor of Taylor swift
She should sing a song
Idiot
Lefty-
Wow. Taylor Swift lives rent-free in your head. You guys are hilarious. You think and talk about TS more than any TS fan I know. It’s embarrassing for you, honestly. Hope this comment helps!
And I thought Phillies …Eagles fans would be in a good mood and have some humor and Never Remember is just bitter
You mentioned Taylor Swift (3x) more than we did in your comment Philly. Look just cause she’s an eagles fan doesn’t mean she’s gonna sleep with you cause you’re defending her on a comment thread she’s never gonna read.
You’re only getting weirder about this.
Ain’t gonna sleep with you either
It’s weird that you think this is even crossing my mind.
Easy-
What a weird fantasy to project onto a stranger. You should probably investigate those feelings more, because you obviously have some issues. Hope this comment helps, because you clearly need some.
My wife just read in her Fakebook feed that Kelce gave her a $12 million engagement ring. Probably unrelated, me thinks.
Uh huh. Its a nice request.
Kelce has the leverage here.
What – they gonna cut him?
Travis Kelce is cooked. KC should just move on
Cut him? No. He has 1 year on his deal.
Draft his replacement like the kid from Bowling Green in the 1st, Harold Fannin Jr? Probably.
Or they’ll at least take a TE in first 3 rounds.
They could also probably sign a veteran TE as insurance like a Gesicki, Ertz.
There will very likely be two tight ends in the first round, Warren and Loveland. I highly doubt Fannin goes in the first.
He’s projected as a late first early 2nd.
Rightfully so.
117 catches 1600 yards 10 TDs.
At 6’4” 230 that runs a 4.5-4.6 teams love those athletic TEs
I don’t know where you’re getting that idea, but I haven’t seen anyone who actually knows what they’re talking about projecting him that high. He’s an H-back type who has gaudy numbers because a small program funneled its entire offense through him. He’s an intriguing prospect, but not a profile that goes in the first round.
That high? Late 1st like 30s to early 2nds like 40s is where many outlets have him ranked prospect wise in their list of best available.
Fannin Jrs best comp coming out of college is Trey McBride who Colorado State funneled their entire offense thru back in the day. And like McBride Fannin Jr is capable of lining up pretty much anywhere. On the line. In the backfield. Behind tackles. In the slot. Outside. He’s a piece you can move around which is why he’s ranked late 1st early 2nd.
And if he goes out and tests well at the combine it’ll definitely push him more towards late first / 30s in the 2nd.
McBride lined up inline much more in college than Fannin has.
And I’m still not sure what outlets you’re citing. Dane Brugler has him at 82. PFF has him at 91. Daniel Jeremiah doesn’t have him in his top 50. Kiper doesn’t even list him as a tight end and has him as his number 2 fullback/H-back. Jordan Reid also lists him as a fullback/H-back and has him number one there.
I’m sure a great combine would help his stock, but he’s not rated as highly as you claim and he’s not the sort of profile that goes in the first round, especially when there are at least two much cleaner tight end prospects in the draft.
Pfn has him at 35
CBS has him at 56
Draftbuzz has him at 52
Draft network has him at 42
You can read where I’m gettin info on him from bleacher report
“Harold Fannin Jr. is a fun, talented, and versatile tight end who expects to be used as a power slot in the NFL.
Fannin Jr. is having an incredible season from a production standpoint. He aligns in multiple positions for Bowling Green’s offense—as the h-back, in the backfield, outside, in the slot, in bunch, and stacked sets. Fannin Jr. brings a strong pass-catching skill set to an NFL offense. He runs good routes against zone and off-man coverages. With good stems, body control, and play strength, he gets open routinely. He does a good job attacking angles and leverages against defenders, giving him cushion/playing from depth.
Fannin Jr. is a three-layer threat in the passing game, effectively impacting the game as a quick/short, intermediate, and downfield receiver.”
link to bleacherreport.com
Yeah, this is not a guy currently projected to sniff the first round.
Late first round / early second
I like how you have to delete words to make your argument. It’s cute. But is different than what I’m saying. If you’re just gonna change what I say don’t even bother responding and wasting both our time.
Ok. I don’t know how to explain integers or player types to you and you seem to struggle with both.
Says the dude who uses kiper mcshay jeremiah to seem credible lmao.
I never said McShay. If you think Brugler and Jeremiah are less credible than the outlets you listed, you’re just wrong.
They are. They’re over paid content publishers really. Their analysis are usually wrong past top 10, they can’t project to save their lives, they’re constantly making up trades for views and clicks that don’t really make sense. The fact you cite them to seem credible I thought was a joke at first like this dude playing.
lol. Ok kid. Good luck with whatever your deal is.
Hey facts hurt. They’re overpaid clickbait writers.
I can see why you like them though. Intellectually they’re right up your alley in terms of content. Easy to read. Not too much thought put into the article. Definitely fit for viewers like you.
I mean, you clearly like to read unpaid young clickbait writers. You should try reading Brugler some time. You obviously never have.
Unpaid and clickbait usually don’t go together. But hey not the first or last time you’ll be wrong about something.
Unpaid guys have more incentive to do their due diligence and research harder hoping to gain an audience than click bait artists like Jeremiah and Bruger do who just say they write for nfl like that makes them an expert or something. And in Kipers case he’s been living off his name for years and been horribly wrong many a time esp the last decade or so.
But hey. Reading short articles that don’t require much thinking, are usually devoid of facts, often wrong, and are written to meet a quota rather than inform an audience is your thing. That definitely explains a lot. You could barely make it through bleachers report scouting profile which is on the more medium level and longer than anything Jeremiah or Bruger write. I’ll try to use crayons in the future for you.
lol Yeah, you’ve definitely never read Brugler (or noticed how to spell his name). His Beast every year is great. And Matt Miller has Fannin seventh among tight ends in the draft right now.
Hey out of crayons currently. Give me like an hour to go to dollar tree or something.
You’ll have to forgive Oooof
He does a lot of Oooofing these day
OooofIng- presents statements as if they were facts but are really opinions not based in reality.
He has a bad habit of trying to sound smarter than god actually made him.
Comment refreshed before I finished
Oooof suffers from little many syndrome/ napoleon complex/inferiority complex whatever name you want to call it.
You’ll have to be patient with them as you’ve probably already noticed.
You know I know you and Easy are the same guy, right?
Fanning is projected in mid/late rounds, he’s basically a receiver playing TE (can’t block or really play in-line).
They save 17 million this year if they cut him by that March 14th date. That puts KC in the hunt for another WR. It’s a possibility.
I understand.
Im openly questioning if the Chiefs would cut a franchise icon if he doesn’t make a decision on their timeline.
I don’t think it is as easy decision as some would have you believe.
It’s not but they already overpaid for this season and if he wants to come back, they are going to have to restructure that deal. They are only 5.1 million under the cap and that’s going to the draft picks. They need cap space and his contract is the #1 target in creating some.
So you agree – its still likely Kelce’s decision and timeline?
Negative….it’s the Chiefs timeline. If they don’t cut him by March 14th, the cap savings goes from 17.25 million down to 5.75 million. They would have to then make it a post June 1st cut and they wouldn’t have that money freed up for free agency. KC is on thin ice this off season. They have 186 million in cap space going into 6 players. Kelce and Thuney are the only ones who give them cap space if they are cut or traded.
link to spotrac.com
click on the small scissors icon and it will explain as I did.
You don’t nee to explain it. I understand better than you do.
My point has nothing to do with financials.
They are not pushing Kelce into a decision.
If he decides to retire on April 1st, June first or August 1st.
They are not cutting a franchise icon.
Right……lol
Its a tough concept I know.
But you keep thinking it and you will realize Im right.
I promise.
What’s wrong with Noah Gray ? Seemed very productive this past year. Kelce is a shell of himself. Get out with some dignity left. Do not pull the Zeke Elliot of tight ends.
Nothing wrong with Gray but then you have a depth issue and limited funds to work with. If Kelce stays and doesn’t restructure, they have zero money for free agency. The 5 million they have right now would be going to draft picks. Somebody will have to either get cut or restructure.
this is the way it should be.its not fair for a player hold up off-season. that could cost a team when it comes to possible replacements at their position.
It cuts both ways. Is it fair for a GM to string a player along with promises of a new deal, wait until that player has seen his free agent options diminish and then say “We’ve decided we don’t need you after all…good luck”?
Your scenario is still on the player. Nobody is forcing them to watch free agency options diminish as they hope for a new deal.
Set a deadline before free agency. If a deal isn’t reached by then tag me or I’m exploring free agent options.
If your current team hasn’t signed you take the best offer you can get if you’re worried a deal may never come.
Sitting around waiting is your own fault for missing out on ppl that wanted you
Is it fair a player say they agree to sign with a team once free agency opens but then decides to go to another team the day free agency opens? A position thought to be filled is now a hole.
I don’t think anyone should even consider taking a job as a GM if they aren’t prepared to fill holes as that will be one of their main duties. Injuries alone keep a GM very busy finding suitable replacements. The successful GMs always understand the importance of having contingency plans ready for when there is an emergency.
True crosseyed but if you are during “tamper” part of free agency where many of the top free agents commit to teams and hypothetically get a commitment from Josh Allen to be your QB are you going to make contingencies at quarterback and work Lamar or Pat in case Allen changes his mind and goes back to the Bills or start filling other holes like Def or O-line? Now the only QB options out there is signing Drew Lock or Tommy Devito. Extreme example but yeah you can fill the hole with drew lock but you went from top of the heap at a position to basically scraping the bottom of the barrel.
GMs work with a “soft” salary cap that gives them lots of flexibility. They generally aren’t going to let a top performer from their roster get anywhere near the free agent market. They will restructure other player contracts, use a tag, add void years etc. If none of that can work they will just shop the player and try to get back some value in a trade.
Can’t blame KC for the deadline. Might not be realistic but can’t blame them lol
When you can save 17 million on the 2025 cap, it’s very realistic.
It’s not though. The team has zero leverage. Travis could just wait, take his bonus, and then retire and there is absolutely nothing the Chiefs can do about it except cut him. At which point they still owe him his 2025 salary.
If they cut him before March 14th they do save thec11 million roster bonus.
and they can still designate him as a post June 1st cut and get that 17 million dump but they can’t use it for free agency. Thats why they want the answer so they can restructure his contract and a few others. If he wants to play hardball then they just cut him. They did him a favor by making him the highest paid TE last year even though he isn’t the best in the league anymore. Now he needs to scratch their back and give an answer.
If I was Kelce I would laugh at them. Just draft a Tight End early they are gonna need one soon anyway whether it is this year or next.
Then they are going to laugh at him when the release him. He isn’t untouchable. They already overpaid him for 2024. This request isn’t unreasonable.
The team has absolutely zero leverage here. The only reason he would even consider their request is because he’s a team guy.
Players have had to repay signing bonuses when they retire before…
The team saves 17 million on the cap if he is released by that date. If not, they have to wait until June 1st to make the cut and they are out of that cap space for free agency. If he stays, then they can restructure his deal but a pay cut is probably going to be asked. The team has some leverage. It’s a business and they need cap space.
Mahomes, Jones and Taylor will most likely be approached for restructures.
I can even see Thuney being dangled as trade bait to offload his salary.
The Chiefs have to get stuff done if they want to be active in free agency.
Time to hang em up.
You had a good run. Arguably the best TE career of all time. Walking away with some rings
Hot gf
Successful podcast
Maybe you can do Thursday night commentary with Jason for Thursday night games.
But man Kelce just stood there watching Mahomes get demolished by the eagles front 4. Didn’t run around like he usually does. Just stood there looking like what’s the point.
“Arguably the best TE career of all time.” At least you said “arguably”. I think you’d get a LOT of pushback from Gronk fans, among others.
I would throw Tony Gonzalez in there as well as him and travis arent that far from each other in just their KC alone careers. Big difference is the team didnt win superbowls but Tony continued to be a top TE even diminished at his later years with Atlanta.
3 rings
12,000 yards
77 TD catches
2 rushing TDs
He’s up there in terms of who’s the best TE of all time.
Hes certainly the best TE statistically
2013 – 2023.
Gronk was an absolute beast but just couldn’t stay healthy. Only finished with 9200 yards but 92 TDs.
For me greatest TE all time is Antonio gates simply because the dude played basketball all his life, went to college at Kent State to play basketball, didn’t get drafted obviously wasn’t drafted by the NFL and wound up totally 12,000 yards, 116 TDs.
Really revolutionized how teams look at guys more so than Tony G did who was just looked at as a very athletic TE prospect who could play basketball in addition to football but was still a 1st round pick.
With gates I think teams began to look more closely at basketball techniques such as boxing out, positional spacing in zone defense, and moving without the ball as things they could adapt to the NFL.
Gonzalez had 1325 catches, 15127 yards, and 111 TDs. And he did it in a slightly less pass-happy era without Mahomes throwing him the ball. He had Elvis Grbac and Trent Green as his QBs for most of the first half of his career. Solid QBs, but no Mahomes. One year, Gonzalez had 99 catches, 1172 yards and five TDs with Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle as his QBs. The next year, 96/1058/10 with Tyler Thigpen.
Kelce is a top ten, maybe top five TE, but Gonzalez is on another level. So are Gronk and Gates. I’d put Shannon Sharpe above Kelce, too. John Mackey, Ditka, Kellen Winslow, Ozzie Newsome, all in the discussion as well.
I think Kelce is definitely top five, but it’s also a weird position to compare across eras. I think Gronk could have been number one all time if he had stayed healthier. Kelce deserves a lot of credit for the sheer amount of football he’s played. He’s also got the second most playoff receiving touchdowns of all-time at any position.
Gonzalez was still a first round pick 13th overall. Draft status does play a part in evaluations. He had an amazing HOF career but picking a dude 13th overall you’re hoping for a pro bowl all pro caliber player minimum.
Gronk was a second round pick
Kelce was a third round pick
Gates was undrafted and never played football at the level the others did. Played 0 collegiate football while Gonzalez, Kelce, and Gronk played what 3-4 years each on top of high school football?
To go from a dude who maybe played football in high school as a secondary sport to basketball which obviously was his primary focus since he went on to play it in college into one of the greatest TEs of all time is much more impressive of a career than the others being a 1st round pick or day 2 pick which as a 2nd round pick you’re minimum expectation is high end starter / pro bowler at best and as a 3rd rounder you’re expected to reliable contributor minimum. Udfa you’re lucky if you make the team and don’t spend 3-5 years bouncing around on special teams.
Sounds like you are saying that Tony Romo and Kurt Warner and potentially Brock Purdy should be considered the top QBs in any discussion if you are this high on Antonio Gates because of their draft position. He is no slouch and neither was romo or warner and warner actually won a superbowl which gates never even played in one. Does this put Warner ahead of Mahomes and Brady and everyone else?
Taylor’s probly gonna breakup with him
She only dates winners
So he’ll have plenty of time to play 2025
Not that I’m jealous or anything, but MY life decisions almost never come down to, “Do I want to collect over ten million dollars next year or spend a lot more time with my gorgeous girlfriend?”
Travis should say he’s playing in 2025, take his roster bonus of $11.5 million on March 15th, and then retire on March 16th. He can use the $11.5 million (less taxes of course) to buy Taylor a ring and go jet setting for the rest of the year.
He would have to repay that bonus
I don’t think so. It’s a roster bonus, not a signing bonus. If he’s on the roster on the operative date, he gets the money.
Absolutely not true.
Watching him play in SB looks like he already retired. Talk about zero effort trying to block or get open when your QB is under siege.
Kelce has never been a complete TE. He has never wanted to block. Ditka, Gronk, Bavaro all more complete players.
Kelce a diva and I’ll be glad to be done with Taylor and his propaganda.
Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out