Travis Kelce’s future in Kansas City is suddenly cloudier than it’s ever been - and not just because of what’s happening on the field.
The Chiefs’ All-Pro tight end has had a whirlwind January, and not the kind he’s used to during deep playoff runs. This time, it’s off-field headlines and contract uncertainty that have taken center stage. His deal with Kansas City officially expired at the end of the season, leaving the three-time Super Bowl champ unsigned for the first time in his career.
“I am officially jobless, Jason,” Kelce said on the New Heights podcast he co-hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce. It was a light-hearted comment, but the reality behind it is significant - for both Kelce and the Chiefs.
At 34, Kelce remains one of the most productive tight ends in the league, but the wear and tear of a long career is real. And with his contract status up in the air, the question becomes: is this the end of an era in Kansas City?
The speculation grew louder this week when Isaiah Likely, Baltimore’s emerging tight end, made some waves on social media. Likely - who already has a bit of history with Chiefs fans - liked a cryptic Instagram post from Patrick Mahomes that featured just a clock emoji. It didn’t take long for fans to start connecting dots.
For context, Likely had a few viral moments of his own this past season. He was caught on camera jawing with a Chiefs fan, shouting an expletive-laced response on his way to the visitor’s locker room. And that wasn’t the only time his emotions boiled over - following a tough Sunday Night Football loss, he was again seen on camera venting his frustration, saying, “We a-- as f---.”
Now, with the Chiefs possibly eyeing a retool and Likely engaging with Mahomes’ post, some are wondering: could Kansas City be lining up a new tight end to pair with their franchise quarterback?
Of course, nothing is official, and no trade or signing has been announced. But the timing is interesting.
The Chiefs are coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign that fell short of expectations. And with Eric Bieniemy expected to return as offensive coordinator, there’s a sense of transition in the air.
Kelce, for his part, sounded optimistic about Bieniemy’s return. On New Heights, he said he’s excited about the reunion - a comment that many fans took as a sign he might not be done just yet.
So where does that leave us? Kelce’s future is still very much up in the air. He’s unsigned, the Chiefs are re-evaluating their roster, and other tight ends - like Likely - are suddenly part of the conversation, at least in the public eye.
If this is the beginning of a new chapter in Kansas City, it’ll be strange not seeing No. 87 out there catching passes from Mahomes. But if Kelce decides to run it back one more time, especially with Bieniemy back in the fold, don’t count him out just yet. This story is far from over.