INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 25 (UPI) — The Kansas City Chiefs expect tight end Travis Kelce to return in 2025, general manager Brett Veach told reporters Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine.
“How we left it at the end of the season was, he was fired up,” Veach said at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. “He has one more year under contract. I still think he has that fire and desire to play. As far as I’m concerned, there is no deadline.
“We left it as he’d be back, and we’re excited to get him back and get him going.”
Kelce, 35, totaled 97 catches for 823 yards and three scores over 16 starts last season. The 10-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time All-Pro signed a new two-year, $34.2 million contract in 2024.
Kelce spoke on his New Heights podcast about contemplating retirement days after the Chiefs lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl on Feb. 9 in New Orleans. He called the season “grueling” and said he would take time to decide on if he will return to the field.
“It can weigh on you,” Kelce said. “It can make you better and drive you crazy at the same time. Right now, it’s one of those things that was kinda driving me crazy this year. It happens as you kinda tail off to the back nine of your career … as you see yourself not having the success you once used to have.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow. On top of that, to not be there in the biggest moments, knowing your team is counting on you. … it’s just a tough reality. I’m going to take some time to figure it out.”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Tuesday that he wanted Kelce to “get out of town and relax” before he spoke about the future Hall of Famer’s future.
“That’s up to Travis,” Reid said.
