Veach: Chiefs anticipating Kelce's return for 2025 season
The Kansas City Chiefs are operating under the assumption that star tight end Travis Kelce will be back in 2025.
"How we left at the end of the season is that he was fired up, he has one more year under contract," general manager Brett Veach said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. "Still think he has that fire and desire to play. As far as I'm concerned, there is no deadline (on his decision). I think we left it at he'd be back, and we're excited to get him back and get him going."
The future of the 10-time Pro Bowler is one of the Chiefs' biggest question marks of the offseason. Kelce said after the team's Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that he'd need some time to ponder his future.
"I can play, it's just whether or not I'm motivated or it's the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility," Kelce said Feb. 12.
Veach added that he hopes Kelce has "a magical season to end his magical career," according to The Athletic's Nate Taylor.
The 35-year-old has been one of the most accomplished tight ends in NFL history, racking up 12,151 receiving yards and 77 touchdowns across 12 seasons. His 178 postseason receptions are also an NFL record.
Kelce's production took a dip in 2024 as he registered 823 yards and three scores, his lowest marks since becoming a starter in 2014.