As football's offseason continues, the Kansas City Chiefs received some massive news on Thursday's edition of "The Pat McAfee Show." During the show, Pat McAfee revealed that Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will be returning for the 2025 NFL season.
"I'm coming back for sure," Kelce sent in a text, according to McAffee. "I'm gonna get in the best shape of my life this offseason and get back to the mountaintop. (I've) got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and with how I got the guys ready for battle."
"I can't go out like that!"
I reached out to source(s) on the future of @tkelce..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 27, 2025
Source(s) said I'M COMING BACK FOR SURE..
I'm gonna get in the best shape of my life this offseason..
I've got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and I can't go out like that!!!! #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/HqfpdqEjqa
The fact that the Chiefs already know Kelce will be back next season is huge news. Not only does it guarantee his 13th NFL campaign, but early confirmation means that Kansas City has extra time to plan its offseason, considering how the superstar TE wasn't expected to make his retirement decision until next month.
With the extra time that Kelce has given him, the Chiefs must make these three no-brainer moves following his retirement decision.
1. Extend Trey Smith With a Long-Term Contract
The Chiefs have several players hitting free agency next month, including starting offensive guard Trey Smith. At least, that was until Kansas City franchise tagged the veteran blocker shortly after Kelce's announcement, keeping Smith in town for at least one more year on a deal that's worth $23.4 million, fully guaranteed.
Still, just because Smith will be on next season's contract doesn't mean the saga is over. He'll be a free agent again next offseason, meaning it's time to start thinking about a long-term deal if the Chiefs want to avoid a similar experience. After all, they can't exactly afford to lose a guard of his caliber.
Smith has cemented himself as one of the best players at his position since being drafted 226th overall in 2021. The former Tennessee Volunteer has only improved with each passing year, culminating in a 2024 performance that saw him finish as one of the top guards on Pro Football Focus in terms of run blocking (77.9, 10th) and overall offense (75.1, 14th).
Now that Kelce isn't retiring and Smith has been franchise tagged, the Chiefs can work on a lengthier contract for the latter. Getting the future Hall-of-Fame TE's retirement situation out of the way gives Kansas City a better idea of its future finances, making a new contract for Smith more feasible going forward.
With how fast the NFL offseason can move, the Chiefs would be wise to extend Smith sooner rather than later.