Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is undeniably one of the team’s biggest stars, but his current playoff run may be his last. In the offseason, Kelce signed a new contract with the Chiefs, making him the highest-paid tight end in the league; yet, his performance this season has not justified that hefty paycheck. He has experienced the least productive season of his career as a starter, with a considerable decline in nearly every receiving statistic, including fewer yards per game, yards per reception, and yards after the catch.
Kelce also recorded a shorter average depth of target and fewer touchdowns than in any other season. Given this sharp drop in production alongside his enormous salary and cap hit, the Chiefs might benefit financially by releasing him during the offseason. This week, Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department labeled Kelce as one of the team’s most likely “cap casualties,” noting that cutting him could free up significant cap space.
“Cutting Travis Kelce is obviously a long shot. … However, the Chiefs would create $17.3 million in cap space by releasing him,” the report indicated. While this seems unlikely considering Kelce’s immense contributions over the years, there’s also the possibility that he may choose to retire, which would also benefit the Chiefs’ cap situation.
“This is much more likely if Kelce decides to retire. The star tight end has wavered on his retirement stance in media appearances. If he walks away, the Chiefs have structured his contract in a way that would help their cap space,” Bleacher Report elaborated. Kelce’s potential retirement could be influenced by numerous factors, including his various off-field pursuits and his pop superstar girlfriend, Taylor Swift, aside from his disappointing performance on the field. Kelce himself has hinted at the possibility of retirement, stating, “I love everything that I’m doing … but at the end of the day, I’m not having that extreme success on the field,” during an appearance on the Stephen A. Smith Show.
He expressed excitement for the upcoming games, saying he would “re-evaluate it like I always do,” although he also suggested he is likely to return: “I’ll probably tell myself how much I love this thing, and I’ll come back next year.” Considering Kelce’s recent performance, his contract situation, the team’s cap needs, and his own comments, there’s a genuine chance that Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills could be the final game of his career if the team loses.
