03/09/26 11:43:00
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03/09 11:38 CDT Chiefs and tight end Travis Kelce nearing a deal for his 14th
season, AP source says
Chiefs and tight end Travis Kelce nearing a deal for his 14th season, AP source
says
By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) --- The Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelce are nearing a
deal to bring the four-time All-Pro tight end back for a 14th season, a person
familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because a contract had yet to be
finalized.
The 36-year-old Kelce said late last season that he would make a decision on
whether to retire by early March, which would give the Chiefs some certainty as
they attempt to rebuild their roster. The negotiating window for free agents
opened Monday and the league year begins Wednesday, at which point trades and
contracts can be finalized.
The Chiefs also are trying to plan for next month's NFL draft. They have two
first-round picks following their trade of cornerback Trent McDuffie to the
Rams last week, their original at No. 9 and the No. 29 selection that they
picked up from Los Angeles.
"I think we've kind of taken a different approach with Travis in the sense that
we've prepared for either scenario," Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said
during last month's scouting combine. "Coach (Andy Reid) had mentioned on
Friday he's had great dialogue with Travis. On our end, myself, (assistant
general manager) Chris Shea and Travis' crew, we've had some good dialogue
there.
"Travis is the best, he's an icon and hopefully he comes back and we'll just
let that process play out."
Kelce has myriad interests besides football, whether it be his "New Heights"
podcast with his brother and retired Eagles center Jason Kelce, or his roles in
film and TV. He also is engaged to pop star Taylor Swift with a wedding
expected to take place soon.
But Kelce also has been adamant about the important role that football
continues to play in his life.
He first began contemplating retirement two years ago, but he was drawn back to
Kansas City last season in large part because he did not want his career to end
with a humbling loss to Philadelphia in the Super Bowl. The same feeling of
disappointment almost certainly played a role in his return again with the
Chiefs now coming off a 6-11 season --- their worst since 2012.
Then there is the desire to play one more season with Patrick Mahomes.
One of Kelce's best friends, Mahomes missed the final three games of last
season after tearing his ACL in the final minutes of a loss to the Chargers
that eliminated Kansas City from playoff contention. The two-time MVP
quarterback underwent surgery the next day and made it clear to reporters a few
weeks later that he intended to be ready for Week 1 of the upcoming season.
Kelce returned last season in his best shape in years. And while he only caught
76 passes, his fewest since the 2015 season, Kelce still had 851 yards and five
touchdowns --- numbers that once again ranked him among the leading tight ends
in the NFL.
Kelce, who will turn 37 in October, has 1,080 catches for 13,002 yards and 82
touchdowns in 192 regular-season games, putting him fourth among tight ends in
receptions and third in yards in NFL history. He also has 178 catches for 2,078
yards and 20 TDs during the postseason, which have helped him win five AFC
championship rings and three Super Bowl rings.
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