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As the Chiefs prepare to rebound from their devastating loss in Super Bowl LIX, the franchise has an expensive decision to make on its most famous player not named Patrick Mahomes.
Travis Kelce, the NFL’s highest-paid tight end, has a $19.8 million salary-cap hit next season—but the Chiefs could save $17 million if they cut the star (all figures via Spotrac).
Kelce, 35, said last week he wants to keep playing in the NFL beyond this season, but NFL Network reported Saturday that he was considering retirement, especially if Kansas City won Sunday and accomplished the first three-peat in the Super Bowl era. Kelce has become one of the NFL’s biggest celebrities since his relationship with Taylor Swift began in 2023.
In the Super Bowl, Kelce caught four passes for 39 yards, as the Chiefs offense struggled to move the ball until late in the game, which the Eagles won 40–22. In the AFC championship game against the Bills, he had two receptions for 19 yards. In the AFC divisional round against the Texans, Kelce shined with seven catches for 117 yards and one touchdown.
During the regular season, Kelce racked up 823 yards, fifth among tight ends, but only three touchdowns, which ranks 18th for his position.
Franchise Player?
While it would be hard to imagine the Chiefs releasing Kelce, who has played his entire 12-year career in Kansas City, if he wanted to keep playing, it’s not that hard to see the franchise asking him to take a pay cut.
Right now, the Chiefs are projected to have just under $16 million in salary-cap space for 2025, which ranks 22nd in the NFL. Mahomes has reworked his deal multiple times to help the team move money around, and his average salary of $45 million ranks 12th among quarterbacks.
Kelce has made nearly $94 million in career earnings, and he now makes just as much money—if not more—off the field, thanks to endorsements and business deals like selling his podcast to Amazon.
The Chiefs owe Kelce an $11.5 million roster bonus on March 14, so any decision about his future will likely be made by that date. The league’s new year begins March 12.
