Travis Kelce Confirms his Return for the 2025 Season and the Chiefs Place the Franchise Tag on Trey Smith

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Good Morning Chiefs Kingdom,

As a reminder, we’ve transitioned to our off-season schedule of 1-2 times per week.

Today we bring you news of Travis Kelce’s return, a Trey Smith update, NFL headlines, and more.

Go Chiefs!

— Luke Gromer

Chiefs News

The Latest

Pat McAfee broke the news last Thursday that Travis Kelce will return for the 2025 NFL season.

McAfee read a text from Kelce on air:

Kelce confirmed this report when the New Heights podcast account posted the following video on X later that day:

Kelce will enter the 13th year of his NFL career and will turn 36 on October 5th.

The Chiefs informed RG Trey Smith that they will place the franchise tag on him.

The sides are expected to continue to work on a long-term extension. The move ensures that Smith does not become a free agent.

The franchise tag for Smith for the 2025 season is $23.4M, making Smith the highest paid guard in football if he plays under the tag.

The Chiefs have until July 15th to work out a contract extension with Smith. If a new deal is not signed by then, Smith will play the 2025 season on the franchise tag.

Smith was the Chiefs’ 6th-round draft pick in 2021.

Source: ESPN

Last week we asked our readers…

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Let him sign with another team in free agency (8)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Franchise tag him (10)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Franchise tag him and try to trade him (5)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Sign him to an extension (72)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other (comment your answer) (3)

Luke’s Take

Trey Smith is a good football player, but RG isn’t a premium position.

If the Chiefs can sign Smith to a reasonable extension, I’m okay with it, but my preference would be to trade Smith for draft picks.

I’d rather see the Chiefs spend serious money and or draft capital solidifying the tackle positions than having the highest-paid guard in football on the roster.

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Around the NFL

Headlines

• The Giants are reportedly interested in signing QB Aaron Rodgers

• The Jets are looking to trade WR Davante Adams

• The NFL officially set the salary cap at $279.2M for the 2025 season

• The Rams and QB Matthew Stafford agreed to a restructured contract to keep the QB with the team for the 2025 season

• The Rams agreed to a 3-year, $57M deal with LT Alaric Jackson

• The 49ers traded WR Deebo Samuel to the Commanders for a 5th-round pick

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• 🤔 4 quick ways the Chiefs can create over $45M in cap space

• 📈 The NFL salary cap just keeps going up

• 🏋️ NFL coaches know who the strongest coach in the league is

• 🐶 Sign up for Underdog Fantasy and deposit using code KCFIX to receive up to $1K in bonus cash + a free pick!

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