Travis Kelce is already under pressure to decide on his NFL future. On Sunday, Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs suffered a crushing 44-20 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
The star tight end didn’t take the loss well, quickly leaving the Caesars Superdome instead of facing a barrage of questions at the media podium.
It’s uncertain whether this disappointing loss will be Kelce’s last game before he retires. The 35-year-old didn’t make a single reception in the first half of a postseason game for the first time in his NFL career, finishing the game with just four catches for 39 yards and no touchdowns. In the run-up to the showpiece event, Kelce consistently stated that he still has plenty left to give – but stopped short of committing himself to the Chiefs for the 2025-26 season.
Kelce’s retirement deadline
Unfortunately for Kelce, he won’t have much time to ponder his retirement options. After signing a two-year, $34.25M contract with the Chiefs last May, the 10-time Pro Bowler is due a $4.5 million base salary and $12.5 million roster bonus in 2025.
According to Over The Cap, $11.5 million of the previously mentioned roster bonus is due on March 15, with the remaining $1million in incentives owed in August. Therefore, Kelce will need to decide if he will be playing another season by that strict deadline to avoid hindering the Chiefs’ free agency moves.
Mahomes’ honest advice
In the wake of the Super Bowl, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes shared heartfelt advice while speaking to reporters concerning Kelce’s career choices, whether to continue playing or to hang up his boots. “He’s got to make that decision on his own. 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,” stated Mahomes.
Mahomes acknowledged Kelce’s outstanding contributions and hinted at his ability to continue performing at a high level. “He knows he still has a lot of football left in him. You can see it, he always makes plays in the biggest moments. It’s just if he wants to put in that grind.”
When contemplating his future, Mahomes urged Kelce to consider whether he is inclined to endure another demanding NFL season. “It takes a grind to go out there and play 20 games or whatever it is to get to the Super Bowl. He’s done enough to be a gold jacket guy, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but I know he still has love for the game,” Mahomes noted.
Concluding, Mahomes emphasized Kelce’s value both on and off the field: “He’ll get to spend some time with his family and make that decision on his own. But he knows he’ll come back here with open arms. We love that guy not only for the football player but for the person he is every single day.”
This article originally appeared on Mirror US
