At this time last year — during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine — general manager Brett Veach essentially confirmed that tight end Travis Kelce would be back with the Kansas City Chiefs for another season.
This time around, Kelce’s status seems to be a bit more up in the air.
“I think we’ve taken a different approach with Travis in the sense that I think we’ve prepared for either scenario,” Veach said during his combine news conference on Tuesday. “Coach (Andy Reid) had mentioned on Friday he’s had great dialogue with Travis.”
Reid, who didn’t attend this year’s combine due to a knee procedure, told reporters via Zoom that he has communicated with Kelce throughout the offseason. Veach also noted that the Chiefs’ personnel staff has already had conversations with Kelce’s representation.
“On our end — myself, Chris Shea, Travis’ crew — we’ve had some good dialogue there,” Veach said. “I’m sure we’re going to see (his agent) here, just like we will all the other players’ agents, and we’ll continue that dialogue.”
But Kansas City does not seem to be in the business of rushing the future Pro Football Hall of Famer.
“Travis has done everything, he’s accomplished everything,” Veach said. “He’s about to get married. He’s got a lot going on.”
If Kelce does indeed return for a 14th season, he will need a new contract. At age 36, he is due to become an unrestricted free agent.
“You need some sort of deadline timeline, but at the same time, (it’s) Travis Kelce,” Veach said. “So we’re just going to continue to have positive dialogue and see where this thing ends. I think we’re trying to position ourselves (so) that either way, we have a plan moving forward.”
In either scenario, Kelce is likely to alert the Chiefs of his decision before the legal free-agent tampering window opens on March 9.
Kelce is coming off a resurgent season in which he finished fourth among NFL tight ends in receiving yards (851), a feat he accomplished even though Patrick Mahomes missed the final three games of the season. Reid and Veach both sound as though they believe he has more football left, so they’re planning. Not pressuring.
“Travis is the best,” Veach said. “He’s an icon. Hopefully he comes back, and we’ll let that process play out.”