The Kansas City Chiefs need to determine if they should part ways with Travis Kelce in 2025, as doing so would free up $17.2 million in cap space. Kelce, a crucial and significant player, holds too much value and importance in the locker room to make that decision. The Chiefs need to adjust their offense to secure a fourth straight Super Bowl and sixth in seven years, emphasizing receivers Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice, while Kelce remains essential.
The Chiefs are experiencing an identity crisis in their offense.
Kansas City has enjoyed notable success over the last two seasons, making it to both Super Bowls and securing one victory, which included triumphing in 2022. This achievement followed the trade of All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, yet the team’s shift from dynamic to sluggish didn’t happen right away. Patrick Mahomes, who was ranked sixth, 10th, and 13th in average depth of target from ’18 to ’20, slipped to 24th in Hill’s last season because of heightened shell coverage.
In 2022, Mahomes passed for 5,250 yards and won MVP, though his ADOT ranked 23rd in the league. The next year, Kansas City’s ADOT fell to 30th because of underperforming wide receivers such as Valdes-Scantling, Watson, Moore, and Toney. Mahomes did not reach 4,000 passing yards for the first time in his career, placing 41st in ADOT. Initial injuries to Rice and Brown, along with excessive reliance on Kelce, added to the problem.
In the last two years, Kelce has received 254 targets, followed by Rice with 131 targets. Even though he has participated in only four games this season, Kelce has not secured a spot on the All-Pro team or achieved 1,000 receiving yards for seven straight seasons prior to 2023. Mahomes must regain his previous level of performance, and the Chiefs need to resolve their left tackle problems. Jawaan Taylor is financially secured for another year before Kansas City lets him go to save $20 million by 2026.
Kansas City must enhance its pace and aggressive gameplay, as they have been prioritizing smaller, more certain gains rather than intermediate and deep passes. Super Bowl LIX showed that lacking a stronger line and reliable weapons, catastrophe is constantly threatening when facing a strong rival, highlighting the necessity for improved defenses. Kelce’s choice to compete in 2025 is still undecided, yet his contribution is vital for the Chiefs to uphold their dynasty and experience success.