Chiefs Handed Major Boost in $66M Patrick Mahomes Headache as Andy Reid and Co Await Travis Kelce’s Retirement Decision

The NFL offseason is here, which means it’s time for the usual firings, hirings, and roster changes. Every team is leaving no stone unturned to do what’s best for them. The Chiefs, after losing a tough one to Philly, are making major roster changes. They did a little cleanup by releasing seven players. The team also has to decide on star LB Nick Bolton‘s contract extension, as several teams are eyeing him. And they will also have to figure out the TE situation if Travis Kelce decides to say goodbye to the gridiron.

Amidst all these worries for Kansas City, the league has dropped a bombshell. Well, it’s actually positive news for the Chiefs as it might make things more ‘manageable‘ for them. The 2025 salary cap is expected to land somewhere between $277.5 million and $281.5 million per team. It’s going to rain money – at least for the QBs. This cap increase marks a massive jump from last year’s $255.4 million.

Over the previous two years, the cap has shot up by more than $53 million, which means teams are about to have much more wiggle room to sign stars, make trades, and build their rosters. For the Chiefs, this is huge. Patrick Mahomes, their ‘golden boy’, has a cap hit of $66 million in 2025, which sounds insane. But with this new cap space, it suddenly feels less scary. The front office can breathe a sigh of relief.

This will make it easier for KC to structure a fair deal for Nick Bolton. The LB is an impending free agent and is on the ‘wanted’ list of many teams out there. Losing him would mean losing the “Patrick Mahomes of the defense,” as OC Spags would say. ML Football on X last week posted that “Nick Bolton is projected to sign a 4-year, $60 million contract extension.” Now, with an increased salary cap, this contract extension becomes more doable for KC.

On the other hand, the team is also waiting to hear from TE Travis Kelce, who has yet to make up his mind about his future.

The Travis Kelce dilemma continues

Had the Chiefs won their hyped three-peat run, it might not have been so difficult for Travis Kelce to decide his future. But with the loss, the Chiefs’ longtime TE is in a dilemma -whether to hang up his cleats or take another shot at a Super Bowl run. On his podcast, ‘New Heights,’ which he co-hosts with his brother Jason Kelce, he said things that had fans wondering if he might retire. “The fact that we keep going to these AFC championships and these Super Bowls, means I’m playing an extra three games… That process can be grueling… It can make you better. It can drive you crazy at the same time. And right now, it’s one of those things where it was driving me crazy this year.”

via Imago

But KC has put a deadline on all the speculation, giving Kelce and themselves time to think about this decision. According to ESPN reporter Dan Graziano, the Chiefs have given the 35-year-old a deadline of March 15 to inform the team of his decision. “Kelce is scheduled to earn $17 million this season. Of that, $4.5 million is salary. And $11.5 million is a roster bonus due on the third day of the league year…“

This season, Kelce’s numbers have been the lowest of his career. Last season, too, his stats were not exactly ‘elite,’ with his yards per reception at 10.6. So, is it time for him to finally say goodbye to the league? Or are we all just nitpicking the SB-run-worthy performances of an NFL great?