The Kansas City Chiefs are officially in offseason mode, and while the front office starts mapping out roster moves for 2026, one name looms larger than the rest: Travis Kelce.
After 13 seasons of redefining the tight end position, Kelce finds himself at a personal and professional crossroads. He’s already secured his legacy - multiple All-Pro selections, a surefire Hall of Fame résumé, and a trophy case that includes multiple Super Bowl rings. Now, with a high-profile wedding to Taylor Swift on the horizon and the wear and tear of over a decade in the NFL on his body, the question becomes: does he have one more run left in him?
Chiefs owner Clark Hunt certainly hopes so. Appearing on Good Morning Football, Hunt made it clear that the organization would welcome No. 87 back with open arms.
“As an organization, we certainly hope that he will come back,” Hunt said. “There's no doubt in my mind that he can still play.
We're trying to be respectful and let him have the time that he needs to make a decision. But we certainly hope that he'll be back.”
That’s not just lip service. Kelce may be entering his mid-30s, but he’s still producing at a level most tight ends would envy. This past season, he racked up 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns - solid numbers by any standard, and downright impressive given the physical toll of the position and the attention he draws from defenses every week.
But this isn’t just about stats. It’s about legacy, timing, and knowing when to walk away.
Kelce has always played with a rare mix of swagger and substance, and he’s never looked like a guy clinging to the game past his prime. That’s what makes this decision so delicate.
No one - not the Chiefs, not the fans, and certainly not Kelce himself - wants to see him return only to become a shell of the player he once was.
The good news? He’s not there yet.
Kelce still has the route-running savvy, the hands, and the connection with Patrick Mahomes that make him a nightmare for defenses. But the grind of another season is real, and so is the pull of life beyond football.
Whatever Kelce decides in the coming months, he’s earned the right to take his time. Whether he’s catching passes at Arrowhead or stepping into a new chapter off the field, his impact on the game - and on the Chiefs - is already cemented.
But if he does decide to run it back for a 14th season? Don’t count him out. Travis Kelce has made a career out of showing up when it matters most.