Travis Kelce
Getty
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce shares exciting news after confirming his return to play in 2026.
Superstar tight end Travis Kelce is officially returning to play for the Kansas City Chiefs next season. While Kelce seriously considered retiring after 13 years in the league, he’s not ready to walk away.
“It’s a tough way to go out, especially with the amount of success and the standard that you hold,” Kelce said on his “New Heights” podcast of the Chiefs’ 6-11 season in January.
“I’m just trying to figure it all out myself, and I’ll do that with the family and friends.”
Despite the team’s disappointing finish, Kelce, 36, performed well enough to earn his 11th Pro Bowl honor. He concluded the season with 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns. Kelce averaged 11.2 yards per catch, higher than his career average.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding date update.
GettyFans can expect to see Travis Kelce’s future bride, Taylor Swift, back at Arrowhead Stadium this season.
Kelce’s fiancée, Taylor Swift, played a crucial role in his decision to return and play. Swift remains his No. 1 fan as the famous couple plans their wedding this offseason.
Kelce was predicted to earn a one-year $10 million contract, but the Chiefs sweetened the deal for the three-time Super Bowl champion. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Kelce is signing a one-year, $12 million deal with a max value of $15 million.
Shortly after his new deal was announced, Kelce surprised fans with even more exciting news.
Travis Kelce Is Dropping a New Episode of ‘New Heights’ on Wednesday
Travis co-hosts the wildly popular “New Heights” podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce. Via the show’s official social media account, Travis confirmed his return to the NFL.
“HE’S BAAAAAAACK,” the show posted along with a “John Wick” GIF after sharing a video of Travis yelling, “Let’s goooo!” with the caption, “#ChiefsKingdom how we feeling?”
Travis and Jason made another big announcement in all caps, “NEW EPISODE THIS WEDNESDAY.” This looks to be one of the most popular episodes of the offseason as fans can expect the four-time All-Pro to open about his process in deciding to come back for one more year.
Travis Kelce Dropped a Huge Hint About His Future After Eric Bieniemy Returned
Patrick Mahomes and Eric Bieniemy
GettyThe Chiefs are bringing Eric Bieniemy back to be their new offensive coordinator.
Back in January, Kelce gushed over the Chiefs bringing back Eric Bieniemy, who worked as their running backs coach from 2013 to 2017 before becoming offensive coordinator, a role he held from 2018 to 2022. Bieniemy spent last season as the Chicago Bears‘ running backs coach.
“I think it’s great,” Kelce said on his podcast. “I think it’s a marriage that’s gonna pick up right where it left off. E.B., he and who he is as a coach, you can see kind of his personality, what he brings to the table in that Chicago team.
“I know (Bears head coach) Ben Johnson has his own version of that. He’s a very tough guy. And what he did in Detroit, he brought over as well. And you can see those running backs over in Chicago and their body of work was definitely an Eric Bieniemy style of football, man.
“I can’t wait to see him back in the building, man. He’s one of my favorite coaches of all-time, one of my favorite people of all time.”