As Travis Kelce enters the final year of his contract at 36 years old, the Kansas City Chiefs may soon be looking for a potential successor. Kelce confirmed he intends to return for his 13th NFL season after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in February. However, despite the Chiefs’ impressive run of three straight Super Bowl appearances and victories in 2023 and 2024, this season has been a struggle. At 6-6, the Chiefs are currently on the outside looking in at the AFC playoff picture. A Week 14 loss to the Houston Texans could drastically reduce their postseason chances to just 12%.
While Kelce has expressed that retirement isn’t on his radar until after the season, Kansas City must plan for the possibility of life without their star tight end. With Kelce’s off-field interests growing—especially his $100 million podcast with his brother, Jason, as well as his engagement to global music sensation Taylor Swift—the Chiefs might soon need to turn the page.
One potential solution could be Isaiah Likely, the 25-year-old tight end for the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens recently signed Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews to a lucrative three-year extension worth $39.3 million, effectively locking him down through 2028. This new deal leaves Likely’s future with Baltimore in question, especially as he’s set to become a free agent next spring.
Likely a Strong Fit for the Chiefs’ Offense
Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports recently floated the idea of Likely stepping into Kelce’s shoes in Kansas City. Even if Kelce decides to play on for another year or two, bringing in Likely would make sense as a future option. The Chiefs’ offense, built around Patrick Mahomes, heavily features the tight end position, and Likely’s athleticism and receiving ability would provide an exciting addition. He could inject a much-needed burst into the offense, especially with his 126 career receptions, 1,484 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns across 58 games.
If Kelce does retire, the Chiefs would have even more incentive to pursue Likely, especially given their dire need for a dynamic tight end. The Ravens, on the other hand, have significantly more salary cap space, making it harder for the Chiefs to match their potential offer.
Why the Chiefs Have the Upper Hand in Pursuing Likely
While the Ravens could use the franchise tag on Likely to prevent him from hitting free agency, it would be a costly move for them, as the tag would pay him far more than his current market value. In contrast, the Chiefs might be more inclined to make a substantial offer, especially if they lose Kelce. The opportunity to play with Mahomes, as opposed to Lamar Jackson, could also be a compelling factor for Likely, making a move to Kansas City potentially more lucrative.
With Spotrac projecting Likely’s market value at $40.5 million over a four-year deal, the Chiefs may find themselves in a strong position to secure the talented tight end if Kelce moves on.
Pat Spencer’s Impact on the Warriors’ Decision-Making
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors are facing a critical decision regarding point guard Pat Spencer. Despite being on a two-way contract, Spencer’s recent performances have been too good to ignore, particularly in the absence of key players like Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.
In a near-comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Spencer’s clutch fadeaway shot helped briefly give the Warriors the lead. Two nights later, in Philadelphia, Spencer’s 16 points and crucial three-pointer in the final 90 seconds of the game helped the Warriors push the 76ers to the limit. Although they lost, Spencer’s energy and playmaking were bright spots.
The Warriors now have a clear decision ahead: convert Spencer’s contract from two-way to a full-time deal, as they did with him last season. Given Spencer’s recent strong play, especially in key moments, the Warriors should give him more opportunities to prove himself.
Spencer’s contract limitations under the two-way deal currently restrict the number of games he can play, and with Curry sidelined for the Warriors’ next two road games, Spencer has the perfect chance to further make his case for a standard contract. With Brandin Podziemski still inconsistent, Spencer’s play has shown he deserves a larger role.
