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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is making his retirement decision, and now, a new report has left NFL experts thinking twice.
Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs are in the midst of contract talks, and on Sunday, March 8, NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic dropped the news that Kelce, according to her research, is looking outside the Chiefs for a 2026-27 run.
“Based on conversations with several teams, TE Travis Kelce appears motivated to return to play a 14th season,” she said in a post on X. “The Chiefs remain very much in the mix to re-sign the three-time Super Bowl champion and four-time All-Pro.”
The operative word there is that the Chiefs are “very much in the mix,” but she also basically said that they’re not on the only team in the mix. Then, in a Sunday, March 8 feature for The Athletic, Russini and her colleague Jesse Newell say that while Kelce is expected to play his 14th season in the NFL, there’s “no guarantee it’s with Chiefs.”
The feature goes onto say that “it isn’t a sure thing that the team he plays for would be the Kansas City Chiefs. Kelce’s representatives are expected to talk to multiple teams.”
So, late Sunday, the NFL world was ablaze with the idea that Kelce’s contract talks are possibly leading him to another team than the Kansas City Chiefs. But, how realistic is that? Now, another NFL insider is weighing in and giving his thoughts.
Travis Kelce Retirement Decision News: NFL Insider Says He’s Likely to Return to the Chiefs Unless There Are Contract Issues
In a late Sunday, March 8 feature for NBC Sports, Mike Florio gives his take on the Kelce drama. He makes it clear that he believes Kelce is back to the Chiefs unless the money isn’t there, at all, for him.
“The truth could be as simple as this — the Chiefs’ current offer falls below Kelce’s expectations,” he notes. “If it doesn’t improve, Kelce could (in theory) see what else is out there.”
He ads that “for now, the notion that his agents will listen to other teams could be nothing more than an effort to shake more cash from the Kansas City tree.”
So, his take is that it’s a leveraging tool to get Kansas City to pay up. That totally makes sense, and it may very well be the case.
“Kelce’s availability creates a rare situation in which a team’s business interests could override its football interests,” he notes. “The coaches and the scouting staff may put one value on Kelce’s perceived role and contributions; the sales and marketing folks may feel very differently about what it’s worth to have Kelce in the fold.”
Travis Kelce Doesn’t Sound Ready to Leave the NFL Yet, As Contract Talks With the Kansas City Chiefs Move On
Duringthe Wednesday, March 4 episode of his “New Heights” podcast with his brother Jason, Travis opened up about retirement. During the episode, Travis was asked by Randy Moss what he’ll miss most about the NFL and football whenever he decides to retire. His answer was simple but meaningful and packed with emotion.
“I think it’s just those moments in the big games,” Kelce said on the show. “That’s a feeling I know I’ll never get again. Those are the things you cherish the most. If you’re fortunate enough to be in the playoffs and make runs at it, the satisfaction that you get and the successful feeling of all the hard work you put in is finally paying off and I think that’ll be one of the things I miss the most for sure.”
So, Kelce doesn’t sound ready to retire, and the Chiefs frankly don’t appear ready to let him walk.
Anne Erickson is an award-winning reporter for Heavy Sports covering the NFL, NBA and college football. Anne Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and additional sports, and her work has been published via ESPN, Fox Sports and more. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Erickson also hosts several podcasts and is a Detroit-based radio host. More about Anne Erickson
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