There are two ways one can examine the potential retirement of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce: either as the loss of Patrick Mahomes‘ most reliable pass-catcher across a historically successful stretch in the NFL, or as an opportunity to reset for the second half of the quarterback’s Hall of Fame career.
Reporter Brook Pryor assumed the latter perspective on Friday, December 26 during a hit with ESPN colleague Courtney Cronin on the “Vibe Check” podcast.
“I do think that if Travis Kelce does indeed retire, this is an opportunity for this Chiefs organization to rebuild,” Pryor said. “They could have a pretty high draft pick.”
As it stands near the end of Week 17, the Chiefs own the Nos. 9 and 40 overall picks, which could help them address two positions of need with high-level draft prospects who, if Kansas City hits on both selections, might be able to step in and contribute meaningfully in Week 1 of next year.
Pryor also suggested a significant salary cap-clearing move in the form of cutting right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who is entering the final season of a four-year, $80 million contract in 2026.
“They can also move on from Jawaan Taylor in the offseason and save $20 million,” Pryor continued. “I think this gives them an opportunity to start fresh and really take a serious look at how they can better support Patrick Mahomes rather than just giving him a future Hall of Fame tight end.”
Chiefs Can Save at Least $31 Million With Travis Kelce’s Retirement, Jawaan Taylor’s Release
GettyRight tackle Jawaan Taylor of the Kansas City Chiefs.
As of Sunday, Kansas City is facing a cap deficit of $48 million next season.
The Chiefs would save exactly $20 million by cutting or trading Taylor. A trade would, of course, be the superior option, as it would bring a draft asset back in the transaction. However, the 28-year-old Taylor had a down year in 2025.
He will finish the season on the injured reserve list (IR) with an elbow injury, but has also battled knee and ankle issues and has appeared in just 12 games. Pro Football Focus ranked Taylor as the 72nd-best tackle in the league through Week 16 out of 83 players who have seen enough snaps to qualify at the position.
Moving on from Taylor for an upgrade at a lower salary would cut the Chiefs’ current cap deficit to $28 million. Kelce is not on the books next year, and therefore is not factoring into the cap figures. However, he carried a $19.8 million cap hit in 2025 and has a projected value of $11 million on a new one-year deal.
Brining Kelce back on an $11 million contract would bump Kansas City’s cap deficit to $39 million, assuming the team parts ways with Taylor. Thus, Kelce’s retirement and Taylor’s release would combine to effectively clear $31 million in financial obligations for the franchise in 2026.
Chiefs Have Needs on Offensive Line, in Running Backs Room
GettyKansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
In her response to Pryor, Cronin suggested that the Chiefs could use their draft picks and/or whatever free agency funds they can clear to help Mahomes by adding to either the offensive line, the running backs room or both.
“Maybe they could give [Mahomes] a run game while they’re at it next year,” Cronin said. “They certainly did not have one last year. They also didn’t protect Patrick Mahomes the way that they needed to. He’s out with an ACL tear, and we probably won’t see him for at least a year.”
Fox Sports predicted on Sunday the Chiefs would draft running back and Heisman Trophy finalist Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame at No. 10 overall to serve as their starting running back alongside Mahomes.
Since then, Kansas City has moved up to No. 9 in the order, though Love still makes sense in that spot as a dynamic dual-threat player out of the backfield.
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