After weeks of stewing and procrastination, the Kansas City Chiefs, still licking their wounds after getting trounced in Super Bowl 59, finally have an answer as to tight end Travis Kelce and his status for next year.

According to the man himself, Kelce is going to come back for at least one more season in 2025, citing his desire to go out on a better note than the humiliation he suffered at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles. Kelce’s return comes on the same day when Trey Smith was franchise-tagged.

Kelce’s return not only takes a big question out of the offseason calculus, but it will also help give the Chiefs’ front office some extra planning and stability as they try to hone in on their top needs in the 2025 NFL Draft. Kansas City is now free to tackle issues bigger than a tight end logjam.

After it became clear that offensive tackle, specifically the turnstile left tackle spot, is the biggest need on Kansas City’s roster, Kelce coming back now makes it easier for the Chiefs to use their premium draft capital over on that line.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce returning impacts 2025 NFL Draft

Even with Penn State’s Tyler Warren assuredly out of Kansas City’s grasp, either Michigan’s Colston Loveland or Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. could have been prized targets for Brett Veach. Instead, the Kelce decision enables them to find a tackle who can help keep Mahomes upright.

At the end of the first round, players like Missouri’s Armand Membou, Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr, and Minnesota’s Aierontae Ersery could be viewed as players who can make an immediate impact on the Kansas City offensive line. Kingsley Suamataia is still in the equation from last season, but the franchise has been looking more at his potential versatility inside.

The tight end room behind Kelce, which features the recently extended Noah Gray and youngster Jared Wiley, could provide Kansas City with enough pass-catchers to eschew this strong tight end class in 2025. The Chiefs need to find a left tackle for the future, while replacing Kelce could be a problem they solve down the line.

Kelce may not be what he once was, but he can still be an effective playmaker in the right situation. The Chiefs have all the pieces needed to make one last run at a title, and Kelce may end up with one more ring he can slip on his finger before calling it quits.