Kansas City Chiefs holds talks with surprise new tight end as Travis Kelce replacement following retirement decision
Kelce has opened up about his own future
THE Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly in talks with a new tight end amid doubt over the future of superstar Travis Kelce.
Kelce, 35, admitted he is considering retiring from the NFL after the Chiefs were beaten convincingly by the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LIX.
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Travis Kelce is considering retirementCredit: Getty
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The Chiefs have reportedly spoken to West Virginia Mountaineers tight end Kole TaylorCredit: Getty
The three-time Super Bowl champ revealed that he is yet to make a decision and told his podcast that he is “kicking the can down the road”.
However, he won’t have much longer to decide with the Chiefs setting a deadline for his decision of March 15 – the same date he is owed an $11.5m roster bonus.
And it looks like Andy Reid’s Chiefs are taking all the necessary precautions in case Kelce does hang up his helmet.
According to NFL insider Justin Melo, the Chiefs have met with tight end Kole Taylor from the West Virginia Mountaineers ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Taylor, who wears the number 87 jersey like Kelce, transferred to West Virginia from LSU in 2023 and finished his senior season with 43 catches for 448 yards and three touchdowns.
You would imagine a move for the 6ft 7in unit would hinge on whether Kelce decides to retire or continue playing.
Reports from NFL insider Dianna Russini suggest that Kelce is “leaning more” towards continuing to play.
Russini, who was speaking on the Rich Eisen Show, claims that her conversations with people involved in the franchise suggest there is “definitely a sense” that Kelce wants to return to the league next season.
NFL important dates 2025 season
March 12 – Free Agency begins
April 24-26 – NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin
September 4 – 2025 season opener (TBC vs Eagles)
November 27 – Thanksgiving Day triple header
January 4, 2026 – End of regular-season
February 8, 2026 – Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
The Chiefs are also said to “feel pretty good that Travis has got a little bit more left in him”.
Kelce had his worst receiving campaign in the NFL since 2014 this season, but was still fifth amongst tight ends for the season – receiving for 823 yards.
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While he also set the record for the most Super Bowl catches in history while playing in New Orleans.
Kelce’s four catches in the big game took him to a career total of 35 Super Bowl receptions, eclipsing Jerry Rice’s previous record of 33.
It’s unlikely he will have the record snatched away from him any time soon either, with no active players holding even half as many catches as he does.
Kelce has kept fairly tight-lipped on his own thoughts on retirement, but did admit that the Chiefs’ busy schedule is starting to take its toll on his body.
Speaking to brother Jason Kelce on their New Heights podcast, he said: “I know everybody wants to know whether I’m playing next year and, right now, I’m just kicking everything down the road.
“I’m kicking every can I can down the road. I’m not making any crazy decisions.
“I’ve been fortunate over the past five, six years I’ve played more football than anybody.
“The fact that we keep going to these AFC Championships and these Super Bowls, that means I’m playing an extra three games more than everybody else in the entire league.
“That’s a lot of wear and tear on your body”
Adding: “I think I owe it to my team-mates that if I do come back, it’s going to be a whole-hearted decision. Not half-assing it.
“I’m fully here for them and I think I could play. It’s just whether or not I’m motivated or it’s the best decision for me as a man, as a human and as a person to take on all of that responsibility.”
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Despite defeat, Kelce set the record for the most Super Bowl catches during Super Bowl LIX
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