Travis Kelce told his Chiefs role no longer exists amid links to brother Jason’s $24m venture

The 35-year-old admitted he needed time to weigh up his options after a brutal Super Bowl defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles ended the Kansas City Chiefs’ three-peat dream.

But football is a relentless business and with contract guarantees kicking in when the 2025 NFL season officially begins on March 12, Kelce is on the clock.

He has revealed that numerous trips to the postseason have taken a huge toll on his body.

Kelce is one of few tight ends to lead his team in targets most seasons and many of the throws Patrick Mahomes sends his way are into tight windows across the middle of the field — prime location for a brutal hit.

In 2024, the future Hall of Famer took a back seat earlier in the season as Rashee Rice emerged as Mahomes’ No1 weapon.

But after the wideout suffered a campaign-ending knee injury, head coach Andy Reid was forced to make the veteran his focal point again.

According to The Athletic’s Nate Taylor, the Chiefs want Kelce back but do not want their offense to run through the 12-year pro, who will turn 36 in October.

He might have less of an actual impact in winning and losing than he’s ever had before. That has to be the case,” Taylor told KCSN’s Only Weird Games.

“The Chiefs are gonna try very hard in ten days’ time to convince him that next season will be different for him.”

The Chiefs signed Peyton Hendershot from the Dallas Cowboys, handed emerging talent Noah Gray more targets and have Anthony Firkser to add depth at tight end.

A rotation could be deployed involving Kelce with wide receivers offering more of a threat.

Taylor thinks the move could appeal to the superstar but suggested there was a huge potential flaw.

“The problem is, what if something goes wrong with the offense? Rashee Rice getting injured by his own quarterback’s shoulder,” he added.

“Guess what, ‘Can you carry us again? Can you lead us in receiving again.'”

Kelce managed 97 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns last season — his lowest totals since 2014.

He still managed to become the fastest tight end ever to rack up 12,000 yards and surpassed Tony Gonzalez as the Chiefs’ all-time touchdown leader.

While fewer targets could make it easier on his body, would Kelce be content to be a bit-part play

His larger-than-life persona has only got larger during his headline-grabbing relationship with billionaire songstress Taylor Swift.

Kelce is not short of options with a thriving endorsement portfolio, $100million podcast and acting career.

There is also the tantalizing prospect of him joining brother Jason behind the camera.

The retired Eagles great signed a $24million contract with ESPN.

And the network has been linked with a move to unite the brothers on air, although the likes of FOX Sports, Amazon and Netflix could trigger a bidding war.

While he would not match Tom Brady’s staggering $375 million FOX package, Travis could command a tidy sum to move into the booth.