NFL Insider Drops Major Hint at Travis Kelce's 2026 Decision
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has not officially announced that he's coming back for another season in 2026. However, the latest scuttlebutt seems to indicate the perennial All-Pro has at least one more run in him.
With the NFL's free agency negotiating period opening Monday, one league insider is projecting Kelce to put off retirement once again.
New report says Kelce 'motivated' to play
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Sunday afternoon that Kelce, 36, is leaning toward returning.
"Based on conversations with several teams, TE Travis Kelce appears motivated to return to play a 14th season," Russini wrote on X/Twitter. "The Chiefs remain very much in the mix to re-sign the three-time Super Bowl champion and four-time All-Pro."
It seems highly unlikely that Kelce, who has spent his entire 13-year career with Kansas City, would sign elsewhere. But Russini's report at least indicates there are other franchises at least monitoring the three-time Super Bowl champion's situation.
Kelce plays it close to the vest
Kelce's 2025 stat line--76 receptions, 851 yards and five touchdowns--was not in line with his lofty standards, but the 11-time Pro Bowler showed he can still be a valuable contributor.
Since the season ended, Kelce has been mum about his intentions, saying he would let the world know when the time was right.
“I’ve talked to a few people in the facility already, you know, having the exit meetings and they know where I stand at least right now,” Kelce said during the Jan. 7 episode of the "New Heights" podcast. "There’s a lot of love for the game that’s still there and I don’t think I’ll ever lose that. I don’t know. It’s a tough thing to navigate, but at the same time, I think if my body can heal up and rest up and I can feel content that I can go out there and give it another run, I think I would do it in a heartbeat. So I think right now it’s just finding that answer … when it all settles down.”
Chiefs want Kelce back
In late January, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt appeared on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football and let the world know that his organization would welcome Kelce back with open arms.
“Well as an organization, we certainly hope that he will come back,” Hunt said. “He had another great year, maybe not on par with where he was four or five years ago, but still had over 800 yards, and was really one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball for us. So there’s no doubt in my mind that he can still play. We’re trying to be respectful and let him have the time that he needs to make a decision.
“He has sort of a busy offseason coming up with his engagement and marriage, so we want to be respectful and give him the time he needs to make a decision. But we certainly hope that he’ll be back.”