NEW ORLEANS – Amidst the celebration and the shower of confetti following the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl victory at the Superdome, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were already contemplating their journey to return to the championship next year. However, the team may look substantially different on the field.
With 28 players set to enter the free agency market this offseason, several of them played vital roles not only in the recent Super Bowl but also in the two previous championship wins. This list of potential departures does not even include key figures like Travis Kelce, who is faced with the decision of whether to retire or continue pursuing his career in football.
“When it comes to Travis, it’s entirely up to him if he’s willing to put in the effort required to compete at that level for another season, especially after reaching the Super Bowl so many times,” Mahomes remarked regarding his friend’s future. “He’s earned a place among the greats and is on the path to a Hall of Fame induction, but his passion for the sport is evident. He’ll take some time to consider his family life and ultimately make the best decision for himself.”
A potential factor in Kelce’s decision could be the stinging memory of the team’s crushing defeat to the Eagles—a 40-22 loss that marked a significant low point in their campaign. The Chiefs aimed for an extraordinary third consecutive Lombardi Trophy, only to find themselves outmatched by Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and a fierce Philadelphia defense.
Both Mahomes and Kelce expressed that their performance in the Super Bowl was perhaps the most disappointing of their respective seasons, if not their careers. “We just couldn’t find that spark,” Kelce expressed. “We couldn’t find that momentum.”
Mahomes faced considerable pressure, getting sacked six times thanks to a relentless Eagles pass rush, and he struggled to manage the game, throwing two interceptions—including a crucial pick-six—and losing a fumble. He took full responsibility for the loss, stating, “I feel like I didn’t play to my standard, particularly after the early struggles I faced this season. I need to improve in several areas, and unfortunately, those weaknesses were highlighted when it mattered most.”
With the possibility of a three-peat now off the table, the Chiefs are poised to regroup as they embark on a new title quest. Center Creed Humphrey noted, “It was never about chasing a third trophy. What mattered was seizing the moment and achieving this one. It stings not to finish the task at hand.”
As for the wide receiver corps, the team will welcome back Rashee Rice from injury, while newcomer Xavier Worthy delivered a remarkable Super Bowl performance with eight receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Yet, several existing wide receivers, including Marquise Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman, and Justin Watson, will enter free agency, necessitating replacements.
The offensive line also requires immediate attention. Trey Smith is becoming a free agent, and while General Manager Brett Veach hopes to retain him, his contract demands could be steep. The Chiefs have struggled to solidify their left tackle position, experimenting with Kingsley Suamataia and Wanya Morris without success, while Joe Thuney was deployed unsuccessfully during the Super Bowl.
On the subject of Kelce, the four-time All-Pro tight end has previously expressed his love for the game. However, the 35-year-old’s recent Super Bowl performance indicates that he may be nearing the end of his NFL career. Kelce has already initiated a career in entertainment and can lean on a lucrative podcast venture with his brother, Jason, to keep himself occupied should he choose to retire.
Regarding the coaching staff, head coach Andy Reid has committed to the team for the upcoming season and intends to continue his career, squashing any speculation about retirement. His coordinators, Matt Nagy and Steve Spagnuolo, had interviews for head coaching positions but were not selected, which likely means that the coaching team will return largely unchanged for the next season.
As the Chiefs look forward to their future, they face questions about their stadium situation. Previous efforts to secure a sales tax measure for Arrowhead Stadium upgrades were unsuccessful, leading both the Chiefs and Royals to explore separate paths for their respective facilities. A decision will soon be necessary regarding whether to invest in renovations of the aging stadium or consider building a new one that could accommodate major events like Super Bowls and Final Fours.
