Travis Kelce has officially announced his return to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2026 season, a decision that, according to the star tight end, was made well before it was publicly known. Speaking on the ‘New Heights’ podcast, Kelce revealed that he had decided to return “about midway through” the 2025 season.
Kelce, now 36, took his time before making the announcement, wanting to ensure his decision wasn't driven by immediate emotions. "I was taking my brother Jason's advice to step back and clear my head," he shared.
“At what point did you know for sure you were coming back”
— New Heights (@newheightshow) March 11, 2026
“About midway through the season”
🗣️YEAR 14 WAS NEVER IN DOUBT ‼️ pic.twitter.com/1FN5D4ZZcp
"I've made choices in the past based on emotions, and they haven't always worked out. Letting the emotions settle, I realized I still had the hunger and grit to come back.
Last season's end left a bad taste, and I want to make it right."
Travis’ brother, Jason Kelce, retired at the end of the 2023 season after an impressive 13-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles. His advice clearly played a role in Travis' decision-making process.
For the past few years, retirement has been a recurring topic for Travis Kelce. Many speculated he might step away after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII victory in 2023, but Kelce has continued to sign short-term deals, showing he's still got plenty of fight left in him.