Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is riding high. He’s gearing up for another Super Bowl appearance and has a high-profile relationship with music superstar Taylor Swift.
However, some NFL analysts believe Kelce’s time with the Chiefs could be nearing its end, with some even labeling him as a “legitimate cut candidate” this offseason.
NFL Expert Suggests Travis Kelce Could Be a Cut Candidate
In a January 26 feature for Pro Football Network, NFL analyst Ben Rolfe identified some surprising names among his “top cut candidates” for the upcoming offseason—including Kelce.
Even Rolfe acknowledges that the idea sounds outrageous.
“I know. Your instinct is to yell and call me stupid, but first, just hear me out,” he writes. “Travis Kelce is a legitimate cut candidate for the Kansas City Chiefs for a couple of reasons, the first being that he may just retire, which essentially means he will cut himself.”
Essentially, if Kelce chooses to retire, they’re counting that as a “cut.” While retirement remains a possibility, there’s no confirmation yet.
Another reason cited is Kelce’s declining production. “Despite his playoff performances, Kelce has been a fading force this season,” Rolfe notes. He highlights that Kelce’s yards per reception had been above 12 for nine consecutive seasons before 2023. However, that figure dropped to 10.6 last season and further declined to 8.5 in 2024. Additionally, Kelce’s touchdown totals have significantly decreased, with just eight combined over the last two seasons—a stark contrast to his peak years from 2017 to 2022.
While he can “clearly still be a role player for the Chiefs,” the issue, Rolfe argues, is his $19.8 million cap hit. “A role player costing $19.8 million is crazy, no matter how great they have been for your franchise in their career.”
Rolfe suggests that if a cut were to happen, it could be procedural—where Kelce is released and then re-signed to a more cap-friendly deal. Another option would be for the Chiefs to add void years to his contract, deferring up to $12.5 million as a gesture of appreciation.
While this speculation is intriguing, it remains just that—speculation. Others have also pointed out the hefty financial implications of Kelce’s contract.
Could the Texans Make a Play for Kelce?
If Kelce were to be cut and didn’t retire, teams across the league would undoubtedly line up for his services.
In a January 28 feature for Sports Illustrated, Evan Massey called the prediction “shocking” but floated the idea of the Houston Texans pursuing Kelce if he became available.
“How about a crazy idea? Could Houston have even a minuscule chance at Kansas City Chiefs superstar tight end Travis Kelce this offseason?” Massey writes.
He immediately acknowledges the unlikelihood of this scenario. “Before we go farther down this path, all of this has a 0.01% chance of happening.” Still, since Kelce’s name has been floated as a potential cut candidate, Massey entertains the hypothetical.
“If for some reason Kelce was shockingly cut, the Texans should go all out to bring him in,” he suggests. “Again, it’s not going to happen, but since it has been suggested, it’s fun to think about.”
