Chiefs' Chris Jones Rips ESPN Analyst Over Travis Kelce Comments

Jones made it clear he wasn't impressed with Tannenbaum's take on Kelce's future.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones took to social media to respond to ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum's comments suggesting the Chiefs should move on from star tight end Travis Kelce. Jones made it clear he disagreed with Tannenbaum's assessment of Kelce's future.

Why it matters

Kelce's future with the Chiefs is a hot-button issue, with fans and media divided on whether he should retire or play one more season. Jones' strong rebuke of Tannenbaum's comments highlights the passion and loyalty Chiefs players have for their veteran teammate.

The details

Tannenbaum had stated on ESPN that the Chiefs should move on from Kelce, but Jones saw the clip and offered a blunt response on X (Twitter), making it clear he wasn't impressed with Tannenbaum's take. Kelce is coming off a strong 2025 season where he led the Chiefs in all major offensive stats, and many believe he still has something left in the tank.

  • On February 19, 2026, Tannenbaum made his comments on ESPN about the Chiefs moving on from Kelce.
  • Shortly after, Jones responded to Tannenbaum's take on X (Twitter).

The players

Chris Jones

A defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs who strongly disagreed with ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum's comments about the team moving on from veteran tight end Travis Kelce.

Travis Kelce

The star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs who is facing an uncertain future, with some analysts suggesting the team should move on from him while others believe he still has more to give.

Mike Tannenbaum

An ESPN analyst who suggested the Kansas City Chiefs should move on from veteran tight end Travis Kelce, a take that was strongly criticized by Chiefs player Chris Jones.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If I'm being honest, I can see it both ways. What he's done for the franchise allows Travis to make his own decision about his future, and if he returns, great. He still led Kansas City in all major offensive stats in 2025. In fact, his 2025 season was better than his 2024 season.”

— Chris Jones, Defensive Tackle, Kansas City Chiefs (X (Twitter)

The takeaway

This situation highlights the strong loyalty and respect Chiefs players have for veteran stars like Travis Kelce, who has been a key part of the team's success for many years. While there may be differing opinions on Kelce's future, the team's players seem united in supporting him to make the decision that's best for him.