NFL Combine News & Notes: Chiefs Get Big Boost, Star TE Back from Retirement?
INDIANAPOLIS — The flood of news keeps coming from the first day of the 2025 NFL Combine, as most of the league’s general managers and head coaches spoke with their respective press corps.
Let’s dive into some of the biggest news nuggets from the first day of the 2025 NFL Combine in Indy:
Travis Kelce Back for More with Kansas City
Against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day, Travis Kelce set the record for most career touchdown receptions by a Kansas City Chiefs player. It appears the accomplished tight end, and Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target, will return next season to add to that total.
“Chiefs GM Brent Veach said at the Combine that TE Travis Kelce is ‘fired up’ about entering the final year of his contract and playing,” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport wrote Tuesday on X. “‘We left it as is, he’d be back and we’re excited to get him back and get him going.’ Significant news for KC, as Kelce is set to return.”
Kelce said on the “New Heights” podcast a few days after Super Bowl LIX that he was considering retiring. Since 2018, Kelce has played in 21 postseason games, the equivalent of more than a full extra schedule of contests.
“That process can be grueling,” Kelce said. “It can weigh on you. It can make you better and it could drive you crazy at the same time. Right now, it’s one of those things where it was kind of driving me crazy this year, and I think that it happens as you tail off toward the back nine of your career, as (Scott Van Pelt) would say. As you see yourself or not feel that you have the success that you once used to have.
“Man, it’s a tough pill to swallow. And then, on top of that, to not be there in the biggest moments, knowing your team’s counting on you. … It’s just a tough reality.”
Kelce has played six games against the Steelers, totaling 357 yards and four touchdowns on 33 receptions. His best day against Pittsburgh came in 2018 when he went for 109 yards and two scores on eight grabs.
— Brendan Howe
Rob Gronkowski Eyes Return from Retirement
Former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl champion tight end Rob Gronkowski is eyeing a return to the NFL, according to a report from Cecil Lammey of DenverSports.com, and it could be with the Denver Broncos.
Gronkowski has been working as an analyst at FOX, where he worked alongside current Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Both of his brothers previously played for the Broncos, as well.
The 35-year-old is the most decorated tight end in NFL history, the winner of four Super Bowls and a five-time All-Pro. He was the first tight end to lead the NFL in touchdowns and still holds several league records.
Gronkowski last played in the 2021 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Broncos have widely been linked to either Penn State’s Tyler Warren or Michigan’s Colston Loveland with their first-round pick, citing a huge need at tight end.
Geno Smith Is Still ‘The Guy’ in Seattle
Geno Smith is still Seattle’s starting quarterback and Seahawks general manager John Schneider wanted to clam any of the chatter about “his guy” while speaking to the media at the NFL Combine on Tuesday.
Schneider told reporters that Seattle management plan to meet with Smith this week to discuss a contract extension, but there’s no deadline to get a deal done. He reiterated the franchise’s stance all offseason that Smith is going to start the season as their starting quarterback no matter what.
The root of the conversation about Smith’s future in Seattle is due to the 2024 season ending in disappointment. Despite hanging around for most of the season, Seattle failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year. And failing to achieve the team’s goal caused some to speculate about if the Seahawks still viewed Smith as their starting quarterback or would maybe look to move on from the 34-year-old.
But in an attempt to quiet any noise about Smith’s future with the team, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald instead offered his quarterback a big endorsement in early February.
During an interview with FOX 13 TV in Seattle, Macdonald wasn’t shy about his feelings about Smith.
“Yeah. Heck yeah, man, Geno’s our quarterback. I don’t understand the conversation,” said Macdonald. “It’s pretty obvious this guy is a heck of a quarterback. He’s our quarterback. We love him. Can’t wait to go to work with him.”
Even though Seattle missed the playoffs in Macdonald’s first season at the helm, Smith threw for 4,320 yards while completing 70.4% of his passes. Smith also ran for 272 yards on the ground. He scored 23 total touchdowns to go along with 15 interceptions, his second highest total from a single season after his rookie year with the Jets.
For a related story, Smith cashed in and earned $6 million in incentives for his performance in the season finale.
— Mike Asti / West Virginia Sports Now
Bucs Hoping to Keep Chris Godwin Off the Market
Former Penn State WR Chris Godwin may have played his last game as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, and although GM Jason Licht hopes that isn’t the case, he knows it might be.
Godwin, a 28-year-old who has spent all eight NFL seasons with Tampa Bay, will become a free agent when the new league year begins at 4 p.m. March 12.
Initially, Godwin’s contract had an automatic void date scheduled for Feb. 17. But Godwin and his agent agreed to move it to March 12, giving both Godwin and the Bucs almost an extra month to try and figure something out.
Godwin has been good for the Buccaneers, his eight-year run highlighted by an All-Pro campaign in 2019 and a Super Bowl ring the next season.
He’s also coming off a dislocated ankle that cut his season short after Week 7, and that’s something Lichit knows the Bucs must consider.
Here’s what Licht said about Godwin’s future at the podium at the NFL Combine on Tuesday.
“The facts are he had a serious injury and missed a lot of time,” he said. “There’s still some uncertainty with any injury like that at this point. So, (we moved the contract) void so it gives us more options. More flexibility, too, as it pertains to him, and we just have to make a good decision. But hopefully (we) can come to an agreement with him.”
Licht went on to say that Godwin “means the world” to the Buccaneers.
“Nobody has been more resilient than him,” he said. “We’ve been down this road before, a similar path. So nobody’s been more resilient and works harder than him. So, those are the good things, and if I were a betting man, I would bet on Chris. Still, facts are, we have to wade through some variables.”
— Joe Smeltzer / Nittany Sports Now
Ravens Confident About Keeping Left Tackle
Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said at the NFL Combine on Tuesday that he’s confident in being able to keep starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley from hitting free agency.
Stanley would be the top tackle available on the open market if he gets there, but DeCosta thinks their long relationship (Stanley was a Ravens draft pick in 2016) will be a positive factor.
“Ronnie and I did a deal last time, so that’s great,” DeCosta said. “He and I have a good friendship, we’ve known each other for a long time. He’s got a great agent, Kim Miale. You know, you never want to say 100 percent, but I feel good that we’ll have a good, healthy debate process. We’re going to meet with Kim in Indy this week and I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to get a deal done.”
DeCosta also added that if he’s unable to sign Stanley, he feels confident that 2024 rookie, right tackle Roger Rosengarten, could move to the left side if needed.