Super Bowl champion Jason McCourty was left in disbelief after comments were made by an analyst on ESPN discussing Travis Kelce's future at the Kansas City Chiefs
06:43 ET, 24 Feb 2026
Travis Kelce
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Travis Kelce is coming to the end of his current contract(Image: Getty Images)
Super Bowl champion Jason McCourty was left speechless after comments made by ESPN analyst Mike Tannanbaum during a discussion on Travis Kelce's future.
Kelce, 36, is coming off a two-year, $34.25 million contract he signed in 2024, a deal that averaged $17.125 million annually and briefly made him the NFL’s highest-paid tight end. Although he is now technically an unrestricted free agent, league expectation is that he would remain with the Chiefs if he chooses not to retire.
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The future Hall of Famer has been central to Kansas City’s offensive dynasty for nearly a decade, but ongoing questions about his age and recent production persist. Appearing on Get Up, former NFL executive Tannenbaum — who recently drew attention for his blunt opinions — argued that roster decisions cannot be driven by sentiment.
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"I wouldn't do it," Tannenbaum said when asked if the Chiefs should keep Kelce. "And that's when you're in the front office, and you're 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 [Kelce] is slowing down.
"If I'm Kansas City go get the next guy, honor Kelce for what he's done but go and get the next young tight end. Then go and tackle these other needs in offensive tackle, running back and receiver."
During the discussion McCourty, who won the Super Bowl with the New England Patriots was visibly shocked at Tannenbaum's comments.
Statistically, Kelce is still productive. Last season, he tallied 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns—numbers that would impress most tight ends. However, for a player who previously posted seven straight 1,000-yard seasons, the decline is evident.
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Though no longer at his peak, Kelce still tied for sixth among tight ends in receptions and ranked fourth in receiving yards at his position. The bigger challenge for Kansas City is weighing that production against broader roster and salary-cap priorities.
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The Chiefs are coming off a 6–11 season—their first losing record in 13 years—and face key offseason questions at wide receiver and running back. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is also recovering from a late-season knee injury, making reliable offensive pieces more critical while intensifying cap pressures.
There is precedent for a veteran tight end accepting a smaller deal late in his career. Tony Gonzalez, for example, signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons shortly after turning 37 in 2013, averaging $7 million per season. Adjusted for today’s salary cap, that would be roughly $17 million per year, though at the time it placed him around sixth among tight ends in earnings.
Kelce’s next contract is expected to fall between legacy pay and a hometown discount, with Spotrac projecting a one-year market value of roughly $10.8 million.