Travis Kelce tight end Kansas City Chiefs
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 04: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs are not quite rebuilding, despite just having had their ever worst season under head coach Andy Reid, over the course of his thirteen years in charge of the franchise.
But projected to lie at nearly $58 million over the salary cap heading into next month’s free agency, there is no doubt that there will be some player personnel changes happening over the next few months. And, indeed, little to no room to pick up or re-sign players on expiring deals.
Yet, one player that the Chiefs are looking to actively make an effort to bring back is none other than future Hall of Fame tight end, Travis Kelce, if he wants to continue playing the sport. The seven-time All-Pro pondering his future in the aftermath of the season, but if he does want to continue on in the league, Kansas City want to keep him around.
Chiefs Believe Kelce Can Still Play at a High Level
And, according to Bleacher Report’s NFL insider James Palmer, this is not just due to him being a solid team member and locker room guy, but rather the team’s feelings about his performances as a player on the field.
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“Why do the Chiefs still want Travis Kelce to come back even though he is a free agent?” Palmer posed. “Because they still think he can play. My understanding is the Chiefs still believe Travis Kelce, who’s going to be 37 this season, and coming off the worst season of his future Hall of Fame career in terms of yards per game, because they believe he was better this year than he actually was two seasons ago.
“They believe he’s started to figure out how to play at this advanced age..he came back leaner this past year, he was able to be sustainable for the course of the entire season, staying healthy.” Palmer continued. “He’s figured out a lot how to play the tight end position and where he’s at in his career. And he still has that unbelievable for how to play with Patrick Mahomes and that feel for space.”
Chiefs OC Move Could Play a Part In Desire For Kelce Return
Palmer also notes that the return of offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, could also add to the team’s desire to retain the 11-time Pro Bowler, given their strong relationship. Kelce had each of his five best years by receiving yards during Bieniemy’s former stint as Chiefs OC from 2018-2022.
“The return of Eric Bieniemy, I don’t think that part should be overlooked either. He has a great affinity for EB and has always played well in his offenses, and maybe there’s an opportunity for them to still find a way for Kelce to be very viable to this offense.”
Critically, Palmer notes that because of their tight cap situation, the fact that they are looking to bring him back means that it has to be for first-team, on-the-field type production.
“And with the cap situation that they’re in, they wouldn’t want him back if they didn’t think he could contribute.”