The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in the midst of a heated discussion about the future of their star tight end, Travis Kelce. Chris Jones, Kelce's teammate and defensive stalwart, made his stance crystal clear by telling an NFL analyst to "shut up" after the analyst suggested the Chiefs should part ways with the legendary tight end.
At 36, Kelce is out of contract and had hinted at retirement after the 2025 season. Yet, there's a growing sense that he might continue playing, though official word is still pending. This uncertainty led former New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum to propose on ESPN's 'SportsCenter' that the Chiefs should consider moving on from Kelce, regardless of his intentions to play.
Tannenbaum argued, "In the front office, you have to project future performance, not dwell on past achievements. While Kelce is undoubtedly a Hall of Famer, his 2025 performance suggests his peak days are past. The Chiefs need to get younger and faster at the tight end position."
Jones, not one to mince words, responded emphatically on social media, retweeting the clip with a succinct "Shut up" and a shushing emoji, making his loyalty to Kelce abundantly clear.
The Chiefs have expressed that if Kelce chooses to return, he will be welcomed back, but new contract terms will be crucial for cap management. Kelce's previous deal was valued at about $17 million per season.
In a strategic move, quarterback Patrick Mahomes recently restructured his contract, freeing up $43.65 million against the cap for 2026, which is expected to surpass $300 million for the first time. Jones is also expected to adjust his contract to aid the team in reallocating resources.
Last season was a tough one for the Chiefs, missing the playoffs after Mahomes suffered an ACL tear against the Chargers. However, their 6-11 record grants them the ninth pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, offering a chance to bolster their roster for the future.