The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off their failed Super Bowl three-peat bid against the Philadelphia Eagles, face critical roster decisions this offseason amid mounting salary cap pressure.
With just $7.9 million in cap space available for 2025 – even after the NFL’s announced cap increase to between $277.5 and $281.5 million – the Chiefs must either shed salary or restructure existing contracts, particularly Patrick Mahomes’, to upgrade their championship-caliber roster. Primary needs include strengthening the offensive line and adding playmakers around Mahomes.
NFL insider believes Kansas City Chiefs need to say goodbye to future Hall of Famer
ESPN NFL insider Aaron Schatz has proposed a controversial solution: cutting future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce.
“This would be a very unpopular move, but Kelce’s contract is set up as an easy way for the Chiefs to gain cap space for 2025,” Schatz wrote. “According to Roster Management System, cutting Kelce would cost the Chiefs only $2.5 million in dead money while saving them over $17 million on the salary cap. That’s important with the Chiefs currently having negative effective cap space (i.e. the cap space that they would have after signing at least 51 players and a projected rookie class).”
The suggestion comes after Kelce’s challenging 2024 season. Despite earning his 10th Pro Bowl selection, the 35-year-old posted career lows in several categories: three touchdowns, 823 receiving yards, and 8.5 yards per catch – his worst numbers since his 2013 rookie season when he played just one game.
Schatz also pointed to concerning metrics beyond the basic statistics.
“While Kelce still had some important catches in the postseason, his regular-season performance collapsed in 2024. Kelce ranked 38th out of 49 qualifying tight ends in receiving DVOA, and he ranked dead last among tight ends in the ESPN receiver tracking metrics.”
While Kelce has hinted at retirement, he’s indicated he’ll take time to make his decision. Though releasing a franchise legend would be unprecedented, it wouldn’t be the first time an NFL team has moved on from a future Hall of Famer for salary cap relief.
Regardless of the Kelce decision, one thing remains clear: the Chiefs must improve their offensive line protection and add offensive weapons if they hope to return to the Super Bowl in 2025.
