Once again, Travis Kelce finds himself with a significant decision to consider this offseason: will he play another NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs?
Last year, he had his sights set on Super Bowl XI in New Orleans, aiming to add to his already impressive resume. This time around, however, he’s watching the Super Bowl festivities unfold from San Francisco, as the New England Patriots square off against the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, California.
Reports indicate that Kelce has been in communication with the Chiefs, who are optimistic about bringing him back through 2026.
Kelce and the Chiefs are planning to “reconvene after the Super Bowl and finalize a plan that works for both parties.” What that entails exactly? Well, that’s still up in the air, but a decision could come sooner rather than later.
He has previously mentioned that he plans to inform the Chiefs of his decision by the new league year, set for March 12. Recently, Kelce finished a two-year, $34.25 million extension, so negotiating a new deal appears necessary.
Interestingly, the Chiefs face a significant challenge financially, as they are reportedly over $50 million above the projected salary cap. Yet, general manager Brett Veach has a knack for navigating tricky situations and retaining star talent.
As for Kelce, he might have hinted during a recent episode of his “New Heights” podcast that he’s leaning towards returning for at least one more season, especially now that Eric Bieniemy is rejoining the Chiefs as the offensive coordinator under head coach Andy Reid.
Kelce expressed excitement about Bieniemy’s return, stating to his brother Jason, “I can’t wait to get him back in the building. He’s one of my favorite coaches and people.” It’s unclear whether Kelce meant working together in person or just appreciating him from afar.
While the speculation regarding his future continues, some answers could be on the horizon.
It’s not surprising that the Chiefs want to keep their star tight end, particularly following a disappointing 2025 season marked by injuries, including a torn ACL suffered by quarterback Patrick Mahomes late in the year.
Ultimately, the Chiefs concluded the season with a 6-11 record, leading to their first playoff absence since 2014.
