Analysis

Kelce had stated after the Super Bowl loss to the Eagles that he hadn't yet decided whether he'd continue his playing career for a 13th pro season, but Chiefs GM Brett Veach said at the NFL Scouting Combine this week that he expected the veteran tight end to return for another year. Kelce has now confirmed it and will formally announce it on his New Heights podcast this week. Kelce will turn 36 years old in October and is certainly slowing down at this stage of his career, but he's ready to give it another run with Kansas City. It will be interesting to see what his role looks like in 2025, especially with Rashee Rice (knee) due back to full health as the Chiefs' power slot receiver and the anticipated leap of Xavier Worthy in his second season following a big stretch run and postseason. Kelce's days as an elite fantasy tight end are likely over.

Analysis

However, head coach Andy Reid suggested Tuesday that things might be more up in the air, per Nate Taylor of The Athletic, saying he advised Kelce to "get out of town and relax" before making a decision about his playing future. The 35-year-old tight end is heading into the final year of his contract, and he carries a $19.8 million cap hit for the 2025 season. Despite declining production in his 12th NFL season, Kelce's 97-823-3 receiving line across 16 regular-season appearances still made him one of the league's most productive tight ends in 2024.

Analysis

Following the Chiefs' 40-22 loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX this past Sunday, Kelce didn't address his future plans in any postgame interviews, but he took to his podcast days later to make his first formal comments on the matter. Though the 35-year-old remained one of the NFL's most productive tight ends in 2024 with his seventh straight season of at least 90 receptions, he averaged a career-low 8.5 yards per catch on his 97 grabs over 16 regular-season games. Kelce turned in one of his best performances of the campaign in the wild-card win over Houston (7-117-1 line on eight targets), but he was limited to just six receptions for 58 yards and no touchdowns on 10 targets over the Chiefs' final two postseason games. While he hasn't put a timeline on deciding whether he'll keep playing in 2025, Kelce will presumably inform the Chiefs of his plans before the start of the new league year in March so that the organization can prepare accordingly if he elects to retire. Kelce carries a $19.8 million cap hit for 2025 after agreeing to a two-year, $34.25 million restructured contract extension with Kansas City last April.

Analysis

Kelce failed to stand out in the box score as Philadelphia keyed in its defensive focus on the future Hall of Famer. The 34-year-old appeared to have lost a step in 2024 after posting pedestrian numbers -- by his own gaudy standards -- in 16 regular-season contests (97-823-3). Still under contract through the 2026 season, Kelce will attempt to bounce back after experiencing declines in both yardage and touchdowns scored in consecutive seasons in his 12th year as a pro.

Analysis

Kelce was primarily used as decoy on his routes and finished with just 19 of Patrick Mahomes' 245 passing yards Sunday. The 35-year-old Kelce's gravitational pull on the defense opened the door for auxiliary players such as Xavier Worthy (6-85-1) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (2-60-0) to hit Buffalo with big-chunk plays in the hard-fought victory. Kelce and the Chiefs will face an Eagles defense that surrendered 104 yards to Commanders' TE Zach Ertz in the NFC Championship Game. Fantasy players rolling with Kelce in Super Bowl LIX are hoping that Taylor Swift will be the only one doing any spectating in New Orleans on Feb. 9.

Analysis

A well-rested Kelce walked into Saturday's divisional-round tilt and casually dropped his best receiving line of the season. The 35-year-old dominated the middle of the field in a matchup that had Kansas City at a disadvantage on the perimeters. Kelce saw his season totals take a dip in 2024, but it is obvious that he remains quarterback Patrick Mahomes' favorite target when the stakes are raised. The Chiefs will now prepare to host next Sunday's AFC Championship Game against either the Bills or the Ravens.

Analysis

Kelce didn't miss any practice time this week, but with the Chiefs having already clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed heading to regular-season finale, he'll be rested along with several other key players on both sides of the ball. Noah Gray and Peyton Hendershot will be the Chiefs' available options at tight end in Week 18. Kelce will be ready to reprise his usual duties as the team's top tight end when the Chiefs open their postseason run during the divisional round.

Analysis

This comes as no surprise, as QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle) also is listed as doubtful, RB Isiah Pacheco (ribs) has been ruled out, and RB Kareem Hunt received the same listing as Kelce. With the Chiefs having locked up the No. 1 seed on the AFC side of the playoffs, they're taking a cautious approach with a number of key players, which predictably includes Kelce. At least for Week 18, Noah Gray, Peyton Hendershot and practice-squad members Robert Tonyan and Anthony Firkser will be the candidates to fill in at tight end for Kansas City. Kelce instead will turn his focus to the team's postseason opener in the divisional round on either Jan. 18 or 19.

Analysis

Head coach Andy Reid announced Wednesday that Carson Wentz will start at quarterback Sunday while Patrick Mahomes rests, and there's a high probability that other key players join Mahomes in street clothes or play only limited snaps. Kelce would be among the most likely candidates to get the day off given his veteran status, heavy workload throughout the campaign and big role in the team's offense. If the 35-year-old does indeed spend the game on the sideline, Noah Gray and Peyton Hendershot would likely lead the Chiefs' tight-end corps against Denver.