Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has had All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce as his safety blanket since becoming the Chiefs’ starter in 2018. The three-time Super Bowl MVP and two-time NFL MVP will never need a safety blanket more than in the 2026 season, as he will be returning from the most devastating injury of his illustrious career.
Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 14. Four plays prior, Mahomes hit Kelce on an 11-yard completion, as the Chiefs tried to go tie or win the game with under five minutes to play. As soon as Mahomes went down, Chiefs fans began wondering: Was that the last pass we’ll ever see between Mahomes and Kelce?
Kelce, 36, did not have a contract beyond the 2025 season, and he told reporters in November that he planned to inform the Chiefs of his retirement decision before NFL free agency opens. That time has arrived. Teams can begin negotiating with impending unrestricted free agents on March 9 at noon EST, and free agency opens alongside the new league year beginning on March 11 at 4 p.m. EST.
On Saturday, Mahomes posted this video by videographer Preston Smith to his Instagram Story. The short clip shows Mahomes effortlessly hitting Kelce over the middle downfield in the golden light at Dallas’ AT&T Stadium last Thanksgiving.
Mahomes’ post could either be nostalgia or a warning shot to the rest of the league. Kelce has not publicly confirmed whether he’ll retire or return for a 14th year. But if ESPN’s Chiefs beat reporter Nate Taylor is correct about Kelce’s football future, Mahomes’ post is likely coming from a place of revenge.
“He’s coming back, guys,” Taylor told Cody & Gold on 96.5 The Fan on Wednesday. “Every indication I’ve gotten is that Travis Kelce is looking forward to coming back. When we’ll know that for sure? That’s really his prerogative.”
Taylor added, “They might give him - and I’ve said this before - maybe a two-year deal where you can spread some of that money out and give a pretty nice chunk of signing bonus to get that base salary to be manageable in 2026. And, hey, if you’ve got to eat it in 2027 if he retires, you go ahead and eat it. He’s given you everything you could have asked for already.”
Kelce is set to become an unrestricted free agent. The Athletic‘s Dianni Russini and Jesse Newell, Kelce is expected to return, but “it isn’t a sure thing that the team he plays for would be the Kansas City Chiefs. Kelce’s representatives are expected to talk to multiple teams.”
After appearing in five of six Super Bowls between 2019 and 2024 and winning three Super Bowl championships to become the NFL’s latest dynasty, the Chiefs stumbled to a 6-11 finish in 2025.
While Kelce has naturally lost a step with age, he was still among the best tight ends in the league. The 11-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro (and NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team member) led the team in receptions (76) and yards (851) and was one of three Chiefs with five receiving touchdowns. Should he return to Kansas City, his value will be felt most as a veteran leader and, as aforementioned, as Mahomes’ safety blanket.
To Taylor’s point about Kelce already having given the Chiefs everything they could have dreamt, Kelce is the franchise leader in career receiving yards (13,002), touchdowns (82), and receptions (1,080).
It would be a shock if Kelce plays for another team. He has spent his entire career with the Chiefs since becoming a third-round draft pick in 2013, and he has repeatedly stated that he can’t see himself playing anywhere but Kansas City. Kelce, Mahomes, head coach Andy Reid, and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones have been the Chiefs’ core since 2018.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
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