The Kansas City Chiefs are making it clear: they want Travis Kelce back in the fold. That message came straight from the top, with chairman and CEO Clark Hunt expressing his hope that the future Hall of Fame tight end returns for another run with the team.
Appearing on Good Morning Football, Hunt didn’t mince words. “As an organization, we certainly hope that he will come back,” he said.
And you can understand why. Even as Kelce approaches the twilight of his career, he remains a cornerstone of the Chiefs' offense - both on the field and in the locker room.
Kelce just wrapped up the 2025 season with 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns. Those numbers may not match the eye-popping stats from his prime, but they still reflect a player who’s producing at a high level - especially in a year when Kansas City's offense struggled to find consistency.
Now, with Kelce set to hit free agency, the ball is in his court. Hunt acknowledged that the team is giving him the space to make the decision on his own terms. “We’re trying to be respectful and let him have the time that he needs to make a decision,” he said.
It’s not just about football anymore. Kelce’s life has expanded well beyond the gridiron.
From starring in commercials and hosting Saturday Night Live, to appearing in Happy Gilmore 2 and building a high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift, he’s become a cultural icon - not just an NFL star. That kind of fame, coupled with the physical toll of a long career, has led to speculation that he might hang up the cleats.
Still, Hunt was quick to point out Kelce’s continued value to the team. “He had another great year, maybe not on par with where he was four or five years ago,” he said, “but still had over 800 yards, and was really one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball for us.”
That leadership has been critical, especially in a season where the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback. Kelce may not have cracked the 1,000-yard mark - something he did seven seasons in a row at his peak - but he remained Mahomes’ most trusted option in the passing game.
In fact, no one else on the roster came close to matching Kelce’s workload. He was targeted 108 times in 2025 - the only Chiefs player to break the century mark.
The next closest? Rashee Rice with 78.
That gap tells you everything you need to know about how central Kelce still is to this offense.
And it’s not just the front office that wants him back. Mahomes, his longtime running mate, reportedly wants #87 in the huddle next season too. Their chemistry is the stuff of legend - a quarterback-tight end duo that’s been the heartbeat of Kansas City’s attack for nearly a decade.
Kelce is still under contract, thanks to a two-year extension he signed in April 2024 worth a reported $34.25 million. But with his future uncertain, even that deal doesn’t guarantee he’ll be suiting up in red and gold next fall.
There’s also been chatter that his wedding to Swift is on pause while he considers his next move - a reminder that this decision is about more than just football.
So now, the Chiefs - and the NFL world - wait. If Kelce decides to run it back, Kansas City gets back not just one of the greatest tight ends to ever play the game, but a leader, a tone-setter, and the emotional engine of its offense. If he walks away, it marks the end of an era.
Either way, the legacy is secure. But don’t be surprised if we see #87 back on the field - one more time, with Mahomes by his side, chasing greatness again.