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Andy Reid’s Chiefs could make huge decision on Travis Kelce future and replace him with Pro Bowler and former Eagles star
Travis Kelce is set to confirm his plans for the future over the next few weeks. The Kansas City Chiefs great admitted that he is considering retirement after a brutal Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. GettyKelce is taking some time to consider his future[/caption] According to The Athletic, the Chiefs want a decision by March 14 when his $11.5 million roster bonus kicks in. If he decided to quit after that date the franchise would be left with $19.8 million in dead cap compared to $2.5 million if the decision is made earlier. Kelce could decide to play on for a 13th season but if he doesn’t the Chiefs will need every cent as they look to replace the future Hall of Famer. Peyton Hendershot, Noah Gray and Anthony Firkser make up the tight end room without Kelce — none could be expected to step into his role as a No. 1 target. Kansas City has the No. 31 pick in April’s NFL Draft and needs to address a leaky offensive line. Michigan tight Colston Loveland is ranked as the 27th overall prospect on ESPN’s Big Board — behind only Penn State sensation Tyler Warren at the position — and could also be in play. But head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach may take a run at free agency. Arrowhead Addict picked out former Eagles tight end Zach Ertz as a potential target. “While Ertz has stated publically that he would like to stay under Kliff Kingsbury’s watch in Washington for the rest of his career, the Chiefs might be able to turn his head away if they can tempt him with the promise of competing for championships alongside Mahomes,” they write. “This year proved Ertz can still get it done as a safety valve over the middle.” View Tweet: https://twitter.com/Commanders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Reid and Patrick Mahomes could lead a new-look offense next yearGetty The 34-year-old joined the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal and played his first-ever 17-game season in 2024. His 66 receptions for 654 yards and seven touchdowns were a major help to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, offering a reliable safety valve over the middle of the field. Those numbers are not far off Kelce’s totals of 97 catches for 823 yards and three scores. Ertz is keen to stay in Washington after thriving in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s system. “I don’t know what the future holds,” the three-time Pro Bowler said after losing to the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. “I still want to play football next year. I just want to make that clear that I’m not retiring.” “Just ’cause I had so much fun this year,” he added after 11 receptions for 104 receiving yards against his former team. “I feel rejuvenated, I feel young. “It’s the most amount of games I’ve played in a season at 34. I felt like I played good football this year. So, for me it’s just figuring out everything going forward. They know how I feel about this place. “Obviously it’s a two-way street. I can bang down the door saying I want to be here, but if they don’t want me here, then it’s a moot point.” If Kelce does return next season, it has already been made clear that the 35-year-old’s role will be reduced. Ertz could never replace Kelce’s production at his peak but would offer Patrick Mahomes a reliable veteran option as the offense moves to a new focal point. Rashee Rice was leading the Chiefs in targets before suffering a season-ending knee injury. And rookie speedster Xavier Worthy is starting to look like a real weapon. With five Super Bowl trips in six seasons, Mahomes’ side will be a threat whoever he is throwing to. But as he eyes a career in Hollywood, Kelce will be a tough act to follow.
Travis Kelce is set to confirm his plans for the future over the next few weeks.
The Kansas City Chiefs great admitted that he is considering retirement after a brutal Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to The Athletic, the Chiefs want a decision by March 14 when his $11.5 million roster bonus kicks in.
If he decided to quit after that date the franchise would be left with $19.8 million in dead cap compared to $2.5 million if the decision is made earlier.
Kelce could decide to play on for a 13th season but if he doesn’t the Chiefs will need every cent as they look to replace the future Hall of Famer.
Peyton Hendershot, Noah Gray and Anthony Firkser make up the tight end room without Kelce — none could be expected to step into his role as a No. 1 target.
Kansas City has the No. 31 pick in April’s NFL Draft and needs to address a leaky offensive line.
Michigan tight Colston Loveland is ranked as the 27th overall prospect on ESPN’s Big Board — behind only Penn State sensation Tyler Warren at the position — and could also be in play.
But head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach may take a run at free agency.
Arrowhead Addict picked out former Eagles tight end Zach Ertz as a potential target.
“While Ertz has stated publically that he would like to stay under Kliff Kingsbury’s watch in Washington for the rest of his career, the Chiefs might be able to turn his head away if they can tempt him with the promise of competing for championships alongside Mahomes,” they write.
“This year proved Ertz can still get it done as a safety valve over the middle.”
The 34-year-old joined the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal and played his first-ever 17-game season in 2024.
His 66 receptions for 654 yards and seven touchdowns were a major help to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, offering a reliable safety valve over the middle of the field.
Those numbers are not far off Kelce’s totals of 97 catches for 823 yards and three scores.
Ertz is keen to stay in Washington after thriving in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s system.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” the three-time Pro Bowler said after losing to the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. “I still want to play football next year. I just want to make that clear that I’m not retiring.”
“Just ’cause I had so much fun this year,” he added after 11 receptions for 104 receiving yards against his former team. “I feel rejuvenated, I feel young.
“It’s the most amount of games I’ve played in a season at 34. I felt like I played good football this year. So, for me it’s just figuring out everything going forward. They know how I feel about this place.
“Obviously it’s a two-way street. I can bang down the door saying I want to be here, but if they don’t want me here, then it’s a moot point.”
If Kelce does return next season, it has already been made clear that the 35-year-old’s role will be reduced.
Ertz could never replace Kelce’s production at his peak but would offer Patrick Mahomes a reliable veteran option as the offense moves to a new focal point.
Rashee Rice was leading the Chiefs in targets before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
And rookie speedster Xavier Worthy is starting to look like a real weapon.
With five Super Bowl trips in six seasons, Mahomes’ side will be a threat whoever he is throwing to.
But as he eyes a career in Hollywood, Kelce will be a tough act to follow.
