Two months since the end of a disappointing Chiefs season, future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce has not announced whether he will return in 2026. The 11-time Pro Bowler is expected to play a 14th season, however, according to Dianna Russini and Jesse Newell of The Athletic.
Kelce has spent his entire career in Kansas City, where he has established himself as an all-time great and helped the team to three Super Bowl titles. Shockingly, though, the 36-year-old pending free agent is not a lock to re-sign with the Chiefs, Russini and Newell report. The belief is that Kelce’s camp will talk to other clubs.
Kelce indicated in November that he would decide his future before the new league year, which begins Wednesday. Until now, the assumption was that Kelce would either re-up with the Chiefs or retire.
With moving elsewhere looking like a potential option, Kelce could jump to the top of the free agent tight end market. Kyle Pitts had been on track to lead the way until the Falcons placed the franchise tag on him. Isaiah Likely, Dallas Goedert, Chig Okonkwo, Cade Otton and Jonnu Smith are among notables still without contracts, but all of their resumes pale in comparison to Kelce’s.
Despite his age, Kelce continued as one of the NFL’s most productive tight ends during a 17-game campaign in 2025. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder ranked fourth at the position in yards (851) and sixth in catches (76), and he added five touchdowns. With 13,002 career yards, Kelce is 45 away from passing Jason Witten for second all-time among tight ends. He is third at the position in receptions (1,080) and fifth in TDs (82).
Since the Chiefs stole him in the third round of the 2013 draft, Kelce has played for one head coach (Andy Reid) and teamed with two starting quarterbacks. After working with Alex Smith for the first half-decade of his career, Kelce and future Hall of Fame signal-caller Patrick Mahomes began forming a legendary duo in 2018. Eight years later, their partnership may be coming to an end.
Can’t imagine he goes somewhere else. At this point, he sort of feels like end of career Larry Fitzgerald. Still a capable possession receiver, even if everything else has deteriorated with age and wear and tear.
I could see him going to a contending team that uses a lot of two tight end sets, maybe the Lions, Patriots, Bears, maybe Denver lol that’d be something. With no Mahomes for at least a little while I could diffently see him chasing one more but who knows.
Can you really see Kelce leaving the chiefs after all those super bowls
No you can’t
Philly would be an interesting twist. Her family is from there, she lives in New York City, he and his brother can stoke their media empire a bit.
Sadly Denver makes since 🤦
Nobody wants you go away
A shot, distracted, declined clay footed oldster. Yeah. People are going to jump on him.
Trav becoming the 2nd Kelce to wear Midnight & Kelly green could work & not just bring the obvious storylines. Having at least 1 legit option in front of him for a change since Tyreek in a McVay style offense would be fun to watch.
He isn’t playing for any other team. END OF STORY!!!!!!!
Not going anywhere unless Boss lady tells him it’s okay.
Whatever Taylor Swift wants
If KC doesn’t make him a very good offer, he should entertain offers from the half dozen SB contending teams out there. KC would be crazy to let him walk. At his worst, he’s still a top ten TE. Teams like the Rams & recently SF, that have started using 3 TE line ups, & would benefit from his presence.
Would love for him to finish his career in Cincinnati!