With the Super Bowl just days away and the NFL Honors now in the rearview mirror, the league is shifting into offseason mode - and one of the biggest storylines looming over the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t about the game on Sunday. It’s about a franchise legend possibly stepping away from the game.
Travis Kelce, the heartbeat of the Chiefs’ offense for over a decade, is weighing retirement after 13 seasons - all of them in Kansas City. And while nothing’s been decided yet, the conversation around his future is heating up.
Kelce’s résumé speaks for itself. Three Super Bowl rings.
A highlight reel of record-breaking performances. A near-telepathic connection with Patrick Mahomes that’s helped redefine what a tight end can be in today’s NFL.
He’s not just one of the best to ever play the position - he’s a foundational piece of a modern dynasty.
But the question now is: Does he have one more run left in him?
On Friday, Chiefs great and Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez joined Sports Radio 810 WHB and offered a candid take on Kelce’s situation. Gonzalez knows the grind, the toll, and the pull of the game - and his advice wasn’t about stats or legacy. It was about mindset.
“I think he’s got another year in him,” Gonzalez said. “But my advice to him… is come back because you need to in his situation, not because you want to. There’s a difference.”
That distinction matters. Gonzalez went on to explain that the decision should come from a place of emotional necessity - that deep, inner pull that says you’re not ready to walk away just yet. Not because of unfinished business or external pressure, but because you still need the game, the locker room, the camaraderie.
“If he does come back,” Gonzalez added, “that’s a great addition to that Chiefs locker room.”
And he’s not wrong. Even in a season where his production dipped slightly by his own lofty standards, Kelce remained one of the league’s most reliable tight ends.
He finished with 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns - numbers that most players at the position would dream of. For Kelce, they’re a reminder that he can still produce at a high level, even if he’s no longer setting records week in and week out.
But there’s another layer to this: contract status. Kelce is set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. If he does decide to return, it won’t just be about lacing up the cleats - it’ll also mean working out a new deal with Kansas City.
That adds a bit more intrigue to the situation. The Chiefs have some big decisions to make this offseason, and while Kelce is a franchise icon, the front office will need to weigh the cap implications and roster construction moving forward. Still, if there’s mutual interest - and if Kelce feels that need Gonzalez talked about - it’s hard to imagine Kansas City not finding a way to bring him back.
For now, the ball is in Kelce’s court. And whether he chooses to return for a 14th season or walks away with three rings and a Hall of Fame legacy, he’s already etched his name into NFL history.
But if he’s still got that fire, that itch, that need - well, the Chiefs would welcome him back with open arms.