The Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason storylines had been centered around two things, and at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, both were sorted.
Guard Trey Smith, who is a pending free agent, had the non-exclusing franchise tander placed on him as the Chiefs look to secure him to a long-term contract.
The other was the future of tight end Travis Kelce.
Thought to be seriously considering retirement, we heard general manager Brett Veach seem bullish on his return in 2025, and then a few days later, we got the official news via a text sent to Pat McAfee.
For CBS Sports, the one thing they learned at the combine was that Kelce would return for a 13th season.
“Earlier this month, it looked like legendary tight end Travis Kelce was leaning towards retirement,” CBS Sports wrote. “Then, came the combine bombshell that flipped that narrative on its head. In speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said he expects Kelce to return for the 2025 season. Veach relayed that he believes Kelce is “fired up” about playing in 2025. A couple days later, Kelce sent a text message to Pat McAfee confirming he was coming back.”
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid fist-bumps TE Travis Kelce after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks.
Denny Medley-Imagn Images
With Kelce’s position now finalized, the Chiefs can look to fill other roster needs along the offensive line and at receiver.
The left tackle position looms as perhaps the most important, with Andy Reid confirming that guard Joe Thuney, who was pushed out to left tackle last season, will be moving back inside.
Then there are the receivers. Three of them are heading to free agency, and it isn’t known if the Chiefs are interested in bringing Juju Smith-Schuster, DeAndre Hopkins, or Marquise Brown back in 2025.
Either way, there are a host of things to watch for the Chiefs, but the biggest thing to happen during the combine was that Kelce will continue his Hall of Fame career.
