We know, at 35, Travis Kelce could blow the horns on his career anytime now. It’s a weird feeling because of the fear of the unknown; he has left us hanging. No one can say for sure if the #87 is gonna run it back next season or not. I mean, forget anyone, even his teammate, Charles Omenihu had no option but to make a public plea for him to stay after the SB LIX loss to the Eagles. “This would be my message to Trav: ‘Big dawg, like, we, the whole organization, can’t go out like that’.” 

It’s cute, but that’s the least of Omenihu’s concerns right now. He is dealing with a different kind of uncertainty—his future with the team. And let’s just say he’s fearing it.

“Yeah, that definitely went through my head,” Omenihu admitted on Up & Adams when asked if the Super Bowl loss could have been his last game as a Chief. “It’s like, ‘How do I know I get back this moment?'” That’s the reality of free agency. One day, you’re lined up with Chris Jones in Arrowhead. The next, you’re suiting up for a team that barely gets primetime games.

And for Omenihu, that matters. “I love big games, I love primetime games, I love playoff games… those are where you make your name,” he said. If you’re a defensive end who thrives under the lights, Kansas City is the perfect place to be. But the business side of the NFL doesn’t always care about perfect fits.

Now, here’s where things get tricky. Experts are projecting that Omenihu will command $47.3 million over four years in free agency, averaging $11.8 million per year. That’s a solid payday for a guy who made an immediate impact in the playoffs, racking up nine tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in three games. But do the Chiefs have the cap space to make it happen?

Chris Jones just inked a five-year, $158.75 million deal. George Karlaftis is still on his rookie contract, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah is waiting in the wings. The Chiefs would love to keep Omenihu, but at what price?

That’s a good question, but for the guy who loves being on the edge, he’s not backing out of betting on himself.

Omenihu’s 2024 season was a rollercoaster. A torn ACL limited him to just six regular-season games, where he put up six tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. But when the playoffs rolled around? He flipped the switch. That kind of performance on the biggest stage is what gets guys paid. And that’s why he’s worried. He’s 27, entering his prime, and knows this could be his last shot at a big contract.

For his part, he wants to stay. But he also knows the business side of things. He saw what happened to Frank Clark. He saw what happened to Orlando Brown Jr. The Chiefs don’t hesitate to move on if the price isn’t right. But one thing’s for sure: even they are not ready to move on from Travis Kelce.

Travis Kelce is a winner… But for how long can he push the inevitable?

Travis Kelce isn’t just any tight end. He’s the tight end. But even legends slow down. His 2024 numbers? 97 catches, 823 yards, three touchdowns. Solid, but his lowest output since 2015. The Chiefs went 15-2 in the regular season, and Kelce was still a key piece, but the dip in production was real.

And when a 35-year-old tight end starts trending downward, the retirement talk isn’t just noise—it’s reality knocking.

The playoffs? Classic Kelce—until it wasn’t. He torched the Texans for 117 yards and a touchdown in the Divisional Round. But in the AFC Championship? Just two catches for 19 yards against Buffalo. That’s not the Kelce we’re used to seeing in big moments. And in the Super Bowl? It wasn’t enough. Now, Kansas City awaits Kelce’s decision, with a March 14 deadline.

Dianna Russini dropped a key update on The Rich Eisen Show: “There’s definitely a sense that Travis is going to try to play more… I haven’t heard anyone saying, ‘Yeah, he’s really struggling with what he wants to do’.” Sounds like Kelce is leaning toward another ride.

But at 35, how many more hits can he take before his body makes the decision for him?

He’s been a Chief since 2013, a centerpiece of a dynasty, a 10-time Pro Bowler. If he comes back, Kansas City will welcome him with open arms. But at some point, even the greats have to step away. The only question is—does Kelce have one more season in him, or is it time to call it? Either way, just know that he’s in a tier where a player’s legacy remains untarnished.