Chiefs’ ‘Planning’ Offers Reality Check About Super Bowl Champion

The Kansas City Chiefs still have high expectations for 10-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce. They are also “planning” for life without him.

Kelce is returning for a 13th NFL season, a decision he said was needed and made early on in the offseason. But ESPN’s Adam Teicher noted the Chiefs are expecting the same caliber of player to take the field. That is especially after his strong showing in the 2025 AFC Divisional Playoffs.

Teicher also noted the Chiefs’ longer-term vision.

Chiefs ‘Planning’ to Rely on Travis Kelce Less in 2025

Travis Kelce Expected to Take Step Back in Chiefs’ Offense

“With Kelce turning 36 in October, the Chiefs expect that in 2025 he will still be the player they know well,” Teicher wrote on July 4. “Still, the Chiefs are trying to steer themselves away from needing Kelce the way they have in recent seasons by planning to shift some of the receiving burden to others.

“If [Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown] stay healthy, along with [Xavier] Worthy and [Noah] Gray, Kelce’s streak of leading the Chiefs in catches and yards will likely come to an end at three.”

However, Teicher pointed out that a step back for Kelce would not inherently be disappointing.

Travis Kelce Chasing Top-5 Spot on All-Time Receptions List

Kelce finished the 2024 season with 97 receptions for 823 yards and 3 touchdowns as Patrick Mahomes’ top target. That gives him a 1004-12151-77 line for his career. This season, he could move into the top five all-time in receptions.

“Travis Kelce is on the back nine of his NFL career and could very well be playing in his final season in 2025. Before he fades off into the sunset, however, he has a chance to further entrench himself into NFL history while helping the Kansas City Chiefs win another Super Bowl,” CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan wrote on July 3.

“At the moment, Kelce’s 1,004 career receptions have him ranked 14th on the all-time catch list. Over the last four years, the tight end has averaged about 98 catches per season. If he maintains that in 2025, it’d thrust him into the top-five all-time, tying himself with Marvin Harrison at 1,102 catches. In the process, Kelce would be passing the likes of Isaac Bruce, Andre Johnson, Terrell Owens, Cris Carter, and other all-time greats.”

That could be challenging if the Chiefs’ plan comes to fruition this season, and they do lean on Kelce less.

Worthy finished second on the team in 2024 with 59 receptions.

Travis Kelce’s Career Could Come to Story Book Close

The only other item that could complete this coming season more than Kelce moving into the top five in receptions is winning another Super Bowl. He spoke candidly about the disappointment of losing this past title game to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Kelce also noted that this offseason, he “refocused” his efforts. Usually locked on things away from football, he put that energy back towards the game.

Notably, this is also the final year of Kelce’s contract with the Chiefs.

“I want to make this dream that I’ve always had the best it’s ever been,” Kelce said on “Bussin’ With The Boys” on July 1. “I think I failed last year in a lot of different ways for my guys on the field. In terms of being a leader, and just being prepared and ready to rock. And I’m motivated to f****** be accountable for the guys, man.”

“It’s the last [season] on the contract. I’m focused on this one, man. I don’t know what next year is going to feel like. I don’t know what I’m going to feel like in March and in April next year when I make that decision, or I try and figure out what’s next for me. But I know that I got one on the contract. And I got a hell of a f****** team, and we got a lot of f****** talent, and I’m pumped for it.”