An ESPN analyst shocked his colleague by encouraging the Kansas City Chiefs to move on from Travis Kelce.
As Kelce decides whether to play for a 14th season, the Chiefs can also decide if they want to re-sign the veteran tight end. Former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum argued on Monday's "Get Up" that Kansas City should part ways with the franchise mainstay, drawing an exasperated reaction from ex-New England Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty.
"I wouldn't do it," Tannenbaum said of re-signing Kelce. "When you're in the front office and a head coach, you have to make the honest and sober observation that you want to pay a player for what they're going to do, not what they've done. He is slowing down."
.@RealTannenbaum's comments about Travis Kelce had @JasonMcCourty shocked 😳 pic.twitter.com/vKhrnRlGmC
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 23, 2026
McCourty's eyes shot up, and the Super Bowl champion chuckled as Tannenbaum made his case. Tannenbaum suggested that Kansas City should draft Kelce's replacement.
"If I'm Kansas City, go get the next guy," Tannenbaum advised. "Honor Travis Kelce for what he's done, but go get the next young tight end and go take care of these other needs: tackle, running back and receiver."
On the other hand, McCourty called it a "no-brainer" for Kansas City to retain the 11-time Pro Bowler if Kelce doesn't retire.
"Not only because of what he's done and what he means," McCourty said. "He's gonna obviously be a first-ballot Hall of Famer for what he's done in a Kansas City Chiefs uniform, but he was still good last year."
Kelce has fallen short of 1,000 receiving yards in three straight years after reaching the milestone seven consecutive times. McCourty, however, still thinks the 36-year-old has more to offer after averaging 11.2 yards per catch last season.
"This is still a very productive player that still deserves to be in that Kansas City Chiefs uniform."
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