Travis Kelce might not be the only KC Chiefs veteran contemplating retirement during the 2025 NFL offseason.

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Kansas City Chiefs News

All of the talk after Super Bowl LIX has surrounded Kansas City Chiefs star TE Travis Kelce and his future in the NFL.

The 35-year-old is obviously much closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but he is also not the only veteran on the roster with a retirement decision to make. Long snapper James Winchester comes to mind as the next likeliest to retire in the 2025 NFL offseason.

Winchester won the starting job in Kansas City after a training camp battle in 2015. The 35-year-old has been the team’s starter ever since, with 2024 marking a decade with the Chiefs. He’s one of just six players on the active roster for all three of Kansas City’s Super Bowl victories in the past five years, joining the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Harrison Butker, Chris Jones, and Nick Allegretti. He’s also tied with Kelce for most postseason appearances in franchise history, playing in 25 career games.

Speaking to Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick ahead of Super Bowl LIX, Winchester delved into his future and how he’ll handle a potential retirement decision this offseason.

“Man, well, we’re rolling right now,” Winchester said. “And this is a special organization, a special team. Having the opportunity to play for Hall of Fame coaches, with future Hall of Famers, it’s unreal. I’ve had the opportunity to be with Travis (Kelce), Pat (Mahomes), Harrison (Butker), Chris (Jones), and these guys for a long time. I think it’s one of those things that you just evaluate after every season. At my age, you sign one-year (contracts) every year, which falls in line with that, ‘Hey, evaluate it after every season and keep going.’ Feeling great now and still snapping, but we’ll decide that after the season.”

We’ll see what the future brings for Winchester. It’s worth noting that Winchester suffered a shoulder injury during the 2024 NFL preseason. It didn’t turn out to be serious, and he didn’t miss time in the regular season. However, when you get to a certain point in the NFL, it’s much tougher to keep your body ready and performing at a high level.

Additionally, the minimum salary for a 10-year veteran in the NFL is $1.255 million in 2025. It’d be surprising, but the Chiefs could opt against renewing a one-year contract for Winchester in free agency to get younger and cheaper at the position, which might force his hand in a retirement decision