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Travis Kelce expected to play 14th NFL season, but no guarantee it’s with Chiefs | The Athletic
Kelce potentially joining a new NFL team in 2026 would be jarring. He spent his previous 13 seasons with the Chiefs, and it was previously assumed heading into the offseason that he’d either retire or re-sign with the team that drafted him in the third round (No. 63) in 2013.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said during last week’s NFL combine that the team was taking a “different approach” while remaining
more patient this offseason with Kelce’s retire-or-return situation. This year also differs from past ones because Kelce is not under contract with the Chiefs in 2026, while set to become an unrestricted free agent.
“We’ve kind of prepared for either scenario (retire or come back),” Veach said on Feb. 24 in Indianapolis. “Coach (Andy Reid) mentioned on Friday he’d had great dialogue with Travis on our end. Myself, (assistant general manager) Chris Shea, Travis’ crew, we’ve had some good dialogue there, and I’m sure we’re going to see him here, along with all the other players’ agents. And we’ll continue that dialogue.
Former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie is now the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history after agreeing to a massive new deal with the Los Angeles Rams.
According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, McDuffie and the Rams finalized a four-year extension worth $124 million, including $100 million guaranteed.
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The contract sets a new benchmark for cornerbacks across the league.
Why the Kansas City Chiefs’ roster could have a lot of turnover this month | The Kansas City Star
Tyquan Thornton, wide receiver
What the Chiefs should do: Offer a short-term contract.
The explanation: His role greatly diminished in the second half of the season — when he only once saw a 30% snap share after Week 8 — yet Thornton still tied for 21st in the NFL in downfield receptions. It’s an area in which the Chiefs need to improve, not subtract.
It’s puzzling the Chiefs couldn’t find a reason to keep him on the field when he quite evidently was providing them one. Thornton would likely have some questions about his planned role before he picks a team in free agency. It will be interesting to see how robust his market will be — and if anyone is willing to offer more than a short-term deal.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Chiefs and Broncos are interested in both Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne and Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker, although Etienne appears to be more coveted by them.
Fowles goes on to note that Walker and Etienne could command as much as $12 million per year, and maybe more if enough teams get involved.
“Etienne has AFC West love via Denver and Kansas City. Both of those teams could check on Walker and others, too, depending on price ranges,” Fowler reported.
The Chiefs have a pair of running backs set to hit the open market in Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, but the expectation is Kansas City will let both walk in free agency search of an upgrade.
In Denver, the Broncos need a new running mate for RJ Harvey, as it doesn’t seem the team is keen on bringing J.K. Dobbins back after yet another injury-shortened season, which has been a common occurrence during his career.
Around the NFL
Source: Raiders acquiring CB Taron Johnson in trade with Bills | ESPN
The Las Vegas Raiders agreed to a trade for Buffalo Bills veteran cornerback Taron Johnson, a source told ESPN on Sunday.
The Raiders are sending a sixth-round pick to the Bills and will receive a seventh-round pick in return, the source said.
The Bills announced Friday that they were releasing Johnson and three other players. But the four weren’t listed on the transaction wire, leaving the possibility for a trade.
The Bills’ cap savings were the same whether Buffalo traded Johnson or cut him outright ($1.9 million).
James Conner will remain in Arizona after agreeing to revise his contract | Pro Football Talk
There’s no word on what that revised contract will look like, but it’s safe to say Conner agreed to a pay cut that will significantly reduce his salary cap hit, which was scheduled to be $9.8 million this season.
The Cardinals weren’t going to spend that kind of money on a running back who will turn 31 in May and suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week Three of last season.
But at the right price, the Cardinals still see value in what Conner can bring to the offense. He’ll be back for his 10th NFL season and his sixth season in Arizona.
Vikings emerge as favorite to sign Kyler Murray when he’s officially released | NFL.com
After that? Well, the Minnesota Vikings have emerged as the favorite to sign the soon-to-be free-agent quarterback, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Sunday on The Insiders.
The Vikings and Murray have been viewed as a stellar fit since the Cardinals informed the 2019 No. 1 overall pick he would be released. However, Pelissero noted that he expects the market to be a robust one for Murray’s services.
“If you’re Kyler and his agent, it makes a lot of sense to take advantage of this,” Pelissero said. “He’s never been a free agent before. He’s not interfaced with a lot of teams and executives since he selected in the draft back in 2019 and for Kyler, who’s going to be a free agent in 2027 after taking a one-year minimum deal this year it makes sense … to take his time and explore his options here before deciding to take the next important step in his career.”
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs re-sign long snapper James Winchester for his 12th season in KC
With the NFL’s legal-tampering period opening on Monday, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of re-signing one veteran, long-time starter over the weekend.
On Saturday, the Chiefs agreed to a one-year contract with long snapper James Winchester, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport noted that the $1.75 million salary keeps Winchester as the highest-paid long snapper in the league, a fitting label for the 11-year veteran.
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