Do Chiefs expect retirement tour from Travis Kelce?

Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce didn't even wait until March to confirm that he will play at least one more season with the organization coming off its Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

While speaking with reporters on Monday, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt indicated he doesn't expect Kelce to publicly announce his intentions for beyond the 2025 campaign anytime soon. 

"He’s not going to tell us which year is going to be his last year," Hunt said about Kelce, as shared by Nate Taylor of The Athletic. "He’s been an important part of the success that we’ve had over the last seven years. He’s already a Hall of Famer and he has a special chemistry with [quarterback Patrick Mahomes]. I think, like every year, it’s going to be fun to see the two of them work their magic again this year."

The Chiefs allowed Kelce to reset the market at the position when they signed him to a two-year contract last spring. He then tallied 823 receiving yards and three touchdown catches, career lows outside of when he appeared in just a single game as a rookie during the 2013 season. The 35-year-old later caught two of four targets for 19 yards in the AFC Championship Game victory over the Buffalo Bills, and he then recorded four receptions for 39 yards versus the Eagles. 

Despite those numbers, Hunt made it known that he, head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach are "so excited that" Kelce will be part of Kansas City's offense this fall. 

"I think deep down," Hunt explained, "Brett, Andy and I felt like he would be back. He loves the game, he loves his teammates and I know coach Reid is excited to have his energy back in the building for at least one more year."

A report from late February indicated that Kelce will "become more of a role player in Kansas City’s offense" during the upcoming season. The 2024 Chiefs needed Kelce more than originally expected after wide receivers Rashee Rice and Marquise "Hollywood" Brown picked up significant injuries. 

"The healthier we can be around him," Reid said about Kelce, "he can still be productive."

How productive Kelce is through at least January 2026 could determine if the 2025 season becomes the walk-off campaign of his incredible career.