Report: Kansas City Chiefs give Travis Kelce deadline to decide NFL future

The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly given superstar tight end Travis Kelce a deadline to make a decision about his NFL future.

The Chiefs, still reeling from last Sunday’s 40-22 loss to the Phildelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, reportedly gave the 35-year-old Kelce until March 14 — one day before he’s due an $11.5 million roster bonus, according to Over the Cap — to decide whether he plans to return for the 2025 season, according to The Athletic.

Kelce has been seriously weighing his future in the NFL in the days following the disappointing Super Bowl setback, with retirement a serious possibility for the future Hall of Famer.

“I’m gonna take some time to figure it out,” Kelce told his brother Jason on last week’s episode of their New Heights podcast. “And I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back that it’s gonna be a wholehearted decision and I’m not half-assing it, and I’m fully here for them.

“I think I can play, it’s just whether or not I’m motivated or it’s the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility.”

Kelce is arguably one of the NFL’s most productive tight ends ever, currently ranking third in NFL history in career receptions (1,004) and receiving yards (12,151) and is fifth all-time with 77 career receiving touchdowns. Kelce also leads all active NFL tight ends in regular-season receptions, 229 more than veteran Washington Commanders TE Zach Ertz, who is currently a free agent.

Travis Kelce unsure about football future for 2025 season

In 16 games this past season, Kelce put up solid numbers with 97 catches for 823 yards but managed a career-low three receiving touchdowns.

But as he looks toward his 13th season in the NFL, it’s clear Father Time has already taken a toll on Kelce. His 823 receiving yards and 8.5 yards per receptions are career-worst marks.

In the playoffs this year, Kelce had 13 catches for 175 yards and one touchdown. Kelce wasn’t the only one talking about his future.

Patrick Mahomes gave his thoughts on his teammate following the loss to the Eagles.

“I’ll let Travis make that decision on his own, man,” Mahomes said. “He’s given so much to this team and to the NFL and been such a joy, not only for me to work with but for people to watch. He knows he still has a lot of football left in him. You can see it. …

“He’s done enough to be a gold jacket guy and a first-ballot Hall of Famer. … He’ll get to spend some time with his family and make that decision on his own.”

On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this report.