Travis Kelce is reported to be getting ready to play in 2026, though the Kansas City Chiefs are not the only team that could potentially sign the star tight end to a deal
21:11 ET, 08 Mar 2026Updated 21:11 ET, 08 Mar 2026
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) warms up an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
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Travis Kelce has indicated he would like to return in 2026, though he is keeping his options open(Image: Emily Curiel/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Travis Kelce appears set to play in 2026, though he could leave the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kelce had somewhat of a bounce-back year in 2025, and he remained one of the more effective tight ends in the NFL. That said, age is not on his side as the star will be 37 once the 2026 season begins in earnest, whether it's with the Chiefs or another team.
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As fans continue to ponder his future, there have been conversations around the league that indicate that Kelce could return for another season. The latest update comes after the Chiefs' general manager made his stance on Kelce's future clear.
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On X, The Athletic's senior NFL insider Dianna Russini reported that, based on conversations with several teams, Kelce "appears motivated" to play a 14th season. Russini also noted that the Chiefs "remain very much" in the mix to re-sign the tight end to keep the tandem between himself and Patrick Mahomes intact.
Since the end of the 2025 season, questions have arisen about what the future Hall of Famer will do now that he is an unrestricted free agent. Despite keeping mum since the start of the offseason, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid flashed a telling smile when asked by reporters if he had been in contact with Kelce throughout the process.
"There is communication," Reid said with a grin. “That's the main thing. I've said this before: As long as there's communication, I'm good. That means people want to move forward. I think that's where Travis is."
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrate
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Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes formed one of the most feared duos in NFL history(Image: Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
He added: "I'm not trying to put words in his mouth at all, and I try to give him some space here. He's been doing this a long time, and he can sort all that out as he goes forward. But we're proceeding with that."
Kelce himself could have let slip what his plans are next season. Speaking on Kansas City hiring Eric Bieniemy, Kelce lauded the team's decision to bring back an integral part of the Chiefs' dynastic run while also mentioning he would love to see his former coach back in the organization's facilities.
"I can't wait to see him back in the building, man," Kelce said of the hiring. "He's one of my favorite coaches of all time; one of my favorite people of all time.
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"I've had so many unbelievable growing moments under him as a player, as a person, and I just love the guy, and it's gonna be awesome to see him back in the building and see him back wearing the Chiefs logo, baby."
If Kelce were to return to the Chiefs, it remains to be seen just what his next contract would look like. His last contract paid him an average of $17.125 million per season, which briefly made him the highest-paid tight end in the league.
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Since then, George Kittle and Trey McBride have surpassed that number, and considering his reduced production over the last two seasons, it is fair to assume that Kelce could take a discount to return to Kansas City.
Spotrac has Kelce's market value sitting at $10.8 million on a one-year deal. At this point in the star's career, he figures to be part of the second tier of tight ends rather than one of the league's best, though a team needing offensive help could pay him more than that figure.