Travis Kelce has slipped significantly in the 2025 NFL top 100 ranking, landing at No. 96, a steep drop from last year’s placement at No. 18. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end’s decline comes as rumors swirl about his future in the NFL, following a season marked by reduced production and notable weight loss.
The annual ranking, compiled by CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco and released on June 17, 2025, places Kelce behind four other tight ends: Brock Bowers (No. 22), George Kittle (No. 25), Trey McBride (No. 42), and Sam LaPorta (No. 86). Patrick Mahomes, Kelce’s longtime teammate, once again leads the list as the NFL’s top player for the second consecutive year.
Details of Kelce’s Recent Performance and Playoff Impact
In his 12th professional season, Kelce recorded his lowest receiving yards (823) and touchdown total (three) since establishing himself with Kansas City in 2014. Although he reached 97 catches, his average yards per reception dropped to 8.5, the lowest mark in his career. Prisco noted,
“Age started to look like it was impacting Kelce’s play last season as he didn’t look to be the same player,”
adding,
“There were moments, but the consistency wasn’t there. He had 97 catches, but he averaged just 8.5 per catch, the lowest of his career, which is not a good sign for a 35-year-old.”
—Pete Prisco, CBS Sports Analyst
Kelce displayed flashes of his usual excellence in the playoffs, including a standout performance with 117 yards and a touchdown in Kansas City’s second-round victory against the Houston Texans. However, he struggled to replicate that impact in the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills, posting only 19 yards—his lowest in 25 postseason contests—and then compiled 39 yards in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Retirement Speculations and Offseason Changes
Following the Chiefs’ failure to secure a threepeat, speculation over Kelce’s retirement intensified. Despite this, he has confirmed he intends to play at least one more season. ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler highlighted changes in Kelce’s physical condition, reporting the tight end has lost 25 pounds during the offseason. Fowler remarked on the potential finality of this year for Kelce:
“This could be his final year,”
he said on SportsCenter.
“He’s in the last year of his contract. He’s in his mid-30s. Certainly a Hall-of-Fame career, and he wants to potentially end it on the highest note possible.”
—Jeremy Fowler, ESPN Reporter
Kansas City Chiefs’ Roster Dynamics as Kelce’s Role Evolves
As Kelce approaches the twilight of his career, Kansas City’s offense could shift to emphasize younger receivers like Xavier Worthy and a returning Rashee Rice, possibly resulting in a reduced role for Kelce. Nevertheless, Kelce remains the only wide receiver or tight end from the Chiefs to appear in Prisco’s top 100 players, alongside teammates center Creed Humphrey (No. 16), defensive lineman Chris Jones (No. 18), cornerback Trent McDuffie (No. 46), and guard Trey Smith (No. 75).
This ranking reflects both Kelce’s enduring talent and the physical challenges he faces entering his mid-30s. His position in the 2025 NFL top 100 ranking underscores the competitive evolution of the league’s tight ends and the natural progression of an impressive career that many believe may soon conclude.