Travis Kelce’s Future Still Up in the Air, But Chiefs Are Hoping for One More Run
The Kansas City Chiefs are keeping the door wide open for Travis Kelce - and they’re hoping he walks back through it in 2026.
Speaking on Good Morning Football Tuesday morning, Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt made it clear that the organization wants its veteran tight end back for another season. Kelce, now 36, has yet to make a decision about his future, but Hunt didn’t mince words when asked about the team’s stance.
“As an organization, we certainly hope that he will come back,” Hunt said. “He had another great year, maybe not on par with where he was four or five years ago, but still had over 800 yards, and was really one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball for us.”
Hunt’s comments reflect what many around the league already know: even as he enters the twilight of his career, Kelce remains a difference-maker. Last season, he started all 17 games and led the team with 76 receptions for 851 yards. His five touchdowns tied for the team lead with wideout Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.
Yes, those numbers may be a step down from the eye-popping stats we’ve grown accustomed to during Kelce’s 13-year career, but they’re still elite for a tight end - especially one who’s logged as many miles as he has. His production earned him a Pro Bowl nod and first-team All-AFC honors from the Pro Football Writers of America. That’s not just a tip of the cap to past greatness - that’s recognition of a player who can still go out and win matchups on Sundays.
But as much as Kelce’s on-field impact matters, it’s his leadership that continues to resonate in Kansas City. Hunt emphasized the role Kelce plays in the locker room, calling him “one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball.” That leadership becomes even more crucial in seasons like the one the Chiefs just endured - a rare down year that saw the team finish 6-11 and miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
That was Kelce’s second year in the league. Since then, he’s been a cornerstone of a dynasty that’s defined the AFC for the better part of a decade. So it’s no surprise that the Chiefs are giving him space to make a decision on his own timeline.
“He has sort of a busy offseason coming up with his engagement and marriage,” Hunt said, referring to Kelce’s upcoming wedding to global pop superstar Taylor Swift. “So we want to be respectful and give him the time he needs to make a decision. But we certainly hope that he’ll be back.”
If Kelce is leaning one way or the other, he hasn’t said so publicly - but he may have dropped a subtle clue during a recent episode of New Heights, the podcast he co-hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce. When asked about the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Kelce’s enthusiasm was unmistakable.
“I can’t wait to see him back in the building,” Kelce said. “He’s one of my favorite coaches of all-time, one of my favorite people of all time. I’ve had so many unbelievable growing moments under him as a player, as a person, and I just love the guy, and it’s going to be awesome to see him back in the building and see him back wearing the Chiefs logo, baby.”
That’s not exactly a retirement speech.
Whether that quote signals a return or just a fond farewell remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: if Travis Kelce wants to run it back in 2026, the Chiefs - and their fans - are more than ready.