It’s no news for fans that the NFL free agency revolves around big signings, but these signings often lead to teams cutting players to free up cap space, and the 2025 offseason isn’t left out of this tradition.
Several high-profile AFC players, including star tight end Travis Kelce, are at risk of being released by their teams this 2025 offseason, even though Kelce hinted in a recent interview that he might retire this 2025 season. These potential cuts could reshape teams’ rosters and might cause waves across the league.
Travis Kelce: Kansas City Chiefs TE
The 35-year-old American football player has earned notable recognition since he was selected by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. Kelce won Super Bowls LIV, LVII, and LVIII with the team but lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 40-22.
This devastating loss, as he labeled it, might have led the superstar to consider and express a desire for possible retirement before this coming 2025 season. If Travis Kelce doesn’t retire this spring, the Chiefs could restructure his contract, but releasing him would free up $17.3 million in cap space.
Despite these recent rumors of the Kansas City Chiefs tight end facing possible release from the team, the future first-ballot Hall of Famer has proven himself all around. He is a ten-time Pro Bowler and a seven-time All-Pro, with four first-team and three second-team selections.
With all respect to a franchise legend…Chiefs just have to cut Kelce here. Can't be held hostage to a cap number on a player who aren't even sure you want, who is 50/50 to retire, and will be the 2nd highest paid player at that position, who wouldn't get 1/3rd of that in FA pic.twitter.com/olMnGlXRcv
— Shaun Newkirk (@Shauncore) February 16, 2025
.@craigcartonlive predicts "Travis Kelce will not be back next year" under his current contract 👀
"Unless he's willing to drastically restructure his deal… He's a $19 million cap hit for them. If they cut him, they save $17 million." pic.twitter.com/79wOuyg51K
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) February 11, 2025
Additionally, he holds the NFL record for most consecutive and most overall seasons with 1,000 receiving yards by a tight end. In 2020, Travis Kelce only appeared in 15 games, earning him the NFL record for most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season with 1,416.
However, Kelce faced a slight setback as he posted back-to-back seasons with fewer than 1,000 yards and just eight total touchdowns in 2023 and 2024 (excluding playoffs).
For fans and analysts, cutting a future Hall of Famer seems unthinkable, but the Chiefs have moved on from legendary tight ends before, like Tony Gonzalez so letting Kelce go will not be a difficult decision for the team to take.
At the other end, If the Chiefs let go of Travis Kelce, and Kelce does not retire this season as rumored he is expected to be a highly sought-after player. Teams will be eager to secure his services due to his exceptional skills and experience.
Kelce’s presence on a roster can significantly impact a team’s offensive capabilities. Securing Kelce could prove to be a game-changer for any franchise.
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