Travis Kelce Retirement Decision: Chiefs Make Request

At 36 years old, Travis Kelce isn't the best tight end in the National Football League like he once was, but the Kansas City Chiefs don't care. Fresh off of Kelce leading the team in every category with 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns, Kansas City knows what it wants.

According to a new report from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs desperately want Kelce to return for the 2026 season. Before he makes a final decision, though, the team had one request for the future Hall of Fame tight end.

Chiefs Make Request of Travis Kelce Amid Retirement Decision

Rapoport revealdd the Chiefs want Kelce to make sure he's all in before putting pen to paper on a new contract.

“Do the Kansas City Chiefs need a tight end? The future of Travis Kelce still very much up in the air,” Rapoport reported on Monday, per Newsweek. “Obviously, there’s plenty of discussion. General manager Brett Veach talking to reporters saying they really wanted to allow Travis Kelce to go through is process to make absolutely sure he’s going to return for the 2026 season. As of right now, that has not been fully determined.

“There has been some discussion about a potential contract…only going to play for the Kansas City Chiefs. But they want to make sure when there is a decision he is 1,000% all in. This week, we should have some answers from Kansas City. What we know is they for sure want him back, especially considering how he played last year.”

Free Agency Might Force Kelce's Hand

There's another factor at play for Kelce's looming decision: the start of NFL free agency. Teams can start negotiating with pending free agents on March 9 at 12 p.m. ET and deals can be signed on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.

The Chiefs would likely want to know Kelce's plans before heading into the free agency window.

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