Travis Kelce has spent over a decade redefining what it means to be a tight end in the modern NFL. But as the Kansas City Chiefs head into a pivotal offseason, the future Hall of Famer’s next move is still up in the air.
Let’s be clear: Kelce can still play. The numbers - 76 catches, 851 yards, and a pair of touchdowns - might not jump off the page the way they did during his peak All-Pro seasons, but they tell the story of a veteran who remains a critical piece in Patrick Mahomes’ arsenal.
He’s not just a safety valve; he’s still a matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties alike. And in an offense that struggled at times to find rhythm this season, Kelce was often the glue holding it together.
Chiefs owner Clark Hunt certainly hasn’t lost faith. “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, was really one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball for us.
So there’s no doubt in my mind that he can still play.”
That leadership piece is key. Kelce isn’t just a stat sheet contributor - he’s a tone-setter in the locker room, a trusted voice in the huddle, and a guy who’s been through the wars with Mahomes. In a season where the Chiefs came up short of their usual championship standard, his presence still loomed large.
As for what’s next? That’s still TBD.
Kelce hasn’t tipped his hand publicly, and those closest to him - including his mother, Donna - are giving him space to make the call. Caught at LAX, she kept it simple: “You know, I just want him to do what he feels comfortable doing,” she said.
“He’s gotta talk to people in his life to decide what he wants to do. So I’m not sure.
We’ll see what happens.”
Behind the scenes, there’s a growing sense that a return to Kansas City in 2026 is becoming increasingly likely. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the possibility is “more real than ever.” But until Kelce says it himself, it’s all just speculation.
One thing we do know: he won’t leave the Chiefs hanging. Kelce understands how the NFL calendar works - how critical it is for teams to have clarity before free agency and the draft. He’s seen it firsthand with his brother Jason in Philadelphia, and he’s not about to put Kansas City in a bind.
“Seeing my brother go through it and how the league works, the season restarts in April,” Kelce said. “I want to give the Chiefs a good opportunity, whether I come back or not or if they want me back.
It’s one of those things where I’d like to make that decision before they need to make draft picks and free agency opens. All that will be at the end of the season.
I won’t be thinking about it until then.”
That kind of self-awareness - putting the team’s needs in front of his own timeline - is just another reason why Kelce is so respected within the organization and across the league. Whether he decides to run it back for one more season or hang up the cleats, his legacy is already cemented.
Whenever he does call it a career, Canton will be waiting.