Travis Kelce is not going to bow out anytime soon. The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly handed out a new contract to the star tight end, locking him down for 2026. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Kelce's agent, Mike Simon, managed to get the pro bowler a three-year, $54.735M deal that can be worth up to $57.735M.
Kelce to return for 2026 season
Only earlier this month, it was revealed that Kelce is set to return for a 14th season after reaching agreement with the franchise on a new one-year deal. However, now he reportedly has a three-year deal in his hands.
Kelce, who is engaged pop music icon Taylor Swift, had reportedly been exploring potential moves with other NFL teams as he prepared to enter free agency. But Andy Reid has managed to lock down one of his best players, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes' top targets.
Retirement talks
"I think we’ve kind of taken a different approach with Travis in the sense that we’ve prepared for either scenario,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said during last month's scouting combine.
“Coach (Andy Reid) had mentioned on Friday he’s had great dialogue with Travis. On our end, myself, (assistant general manager) Chris Shea and Travis’ crew, we’ve had some good dialogue there. Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back and we’ll just let that process play out.”
Kelce, now 36, had indicated late last season that he would decide on his future by early March.
The veteran tight end has flirted with retirement before, first considering stepping away two years ago. However, he was drawn back last season, motivated in part by not wanting his career to end on a disappointing Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
That competitive drive may again influence his decision after Kansas City endured a 6-11 campaign - its worst record since 2012.
Mahomes factor in play
Another key element is Kelce’s connection with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The pair have formed one of the most productive duos in NFL history.
Mahomes missed the final three games last season after suffering a torn ACL, but has since undergone surgery and is expected to be ready for the start of the new season - a potential incentive for Kelce to return for at least one more run together.
Still producing at elite level
Despite entering the later stages of his career, Kelce remains highly productive. Last season, he recorded 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns — his lowest catch total since 2015, yet still among the best for tight ends in the league.
Kelce’s résumé ranks among the greatest for his position. Across 192 regular-season games, he has totaled 1,080 receptions for 13,002 yards and 82 touchdowns - placing him fourth all-time in catches and third in receiving yards among tight ends.
His postseason impact is equally significant, with 178 receptions for 2,078 yards and 20 touchdowns, contributing to five AFC Championship titles and three Super Bowl victories.
Yash Nitish Bajaj
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More
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