The Kansas City Chiefs are entering the 2026 season with two major storylines unfolding at once. Travis Kelce is back for a 14th NFL season, and the front office is already planning for life after him.
Both developments are now running on parallel tracks, putting the Chiefs in an unusual position heading into what could be a defining year for the franchise.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce
Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) leaves the field after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kelce’s decision to stay at KC came quickly after the Chiefs finished 6-11 in 2025, their worst record under Andy Reid and first playoff miss since 2014. Rather than riding off quietly after a down year, Kelce made his intentions known almost immediately.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach shared that the answer from Kelce came during the team’s post-season exit interviews. Veach recalled the moment clearly on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “We came back to Kansas City that Monday [after the season ended]. We had player exit interviews, and Travis popped in the office,” Veach said. “He basically said, ‘I’m not going out like this.'”
Veach added that the team sensed Kelce’s commitment right away. The relationship between Kelce and Patrick Mahomes played a significant role too. Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in December, ending Kansas City’s 2025 campaign early. Mahomes is targeting a Week 1 return, and Kelce’s desire to support him through recovery reportedly shaped his own decision.
Veach revealed that Kelce and Mahomes share something beyond a typical teammate bond. “Him and [Patrick Mahomes] have almost like a brother-like relationship. It’s not even a teammate relationship,” Veach said. “I think there’s an element of Travis wanting to see Pat through this rehab process.”
On March 23, 2026, Kelce signed a one-year, $12 million contract with Kansas City, putting any lingering retirement question to rest.
Even during the difficult 6-11 season, Kelce recorded 76 catches for 851 yards, keeping his value high. He is a three-time Super Bowl champion, an 11-time Pro Bowler and a 7-time All-Pro. Replacing that kind of production when he does eventually leave will be a real challenge for Kansas City.
Cole Kmet Emerges as a Realistic Trade Target for the Chiefs
While Kelce is not going anywhere this year, Kansas City is thinking ahead. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox flagged Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet as a top post-June 1 trade candidate, with the Chiefs and Carolina Panthers listed as the most logical landing spots.
The Chiefs need to plan for a post-Kelce future at tight end, and Kmet’s availability gives them a clear path.
Chicago’s tight end room has become crowded fast. The Bears selected Colston Loveland in the 2025 draft, and he immediately became the team’s top tight end with 58 catches for 713 yards as a rookie. Then in 2026, Chicago added Sam Roush in the third round, pushing Kmet further toward the exit. Kmet finished 2025 with just 30 catches for 347 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite those numbers, the 27-year-old has three 500-yard seasons across his career and nearly 2,600 receiving yards total. The Bears restructured his contract in April, converting $7.65 million of his salary into a bonus. That move freed up cap space in 2026 but pushed his 2027 cap hit to $15.4 million, making a trade increasingly likely before then.
From Kansas City’s perspective, the need is clear. Backup tight ends Noah Gray and Jared Wiley are seen as solid depth pieces rather than long-term starters. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox noted that Kmet can serve as a legitimate TE1 for a team that needs one, and the Chiefs fit that profile once Kelce steps away.
Kmet also shares a connection with the Chiefs’ organization through his history with former Chicago head coach Matt Nagy. Nagy was there when Chicago drafted Kmet in 2020 and coached him through his first two seasons. Whether Kansas City pursues a trade for Kmet this summer remains uncertain, but the fit looks promising.