Some things might be changing in Kansas City after the Chiefs’ first losing season since 2012, but Travis Kelce is set to remain.
Kansas City announced on Wednesday morning that the star tight end is indeed returning for his 14th season; Kelce agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal to rejoin the Chiefs earlier in the week, with the contract holding a maximum value of $15 million, according to ESPN.
Members of the team expressed optimism that Kelce would return for another season in recent weeks. Kelce, who’ll turn 37 in the middle of the 2026 season, has dealt with retirement talk over the last couple of seasons as his production has dipped. Some also wondered if Kansas City missing the playoffs in 2025 might lead him to walk away from the game.
But Kelce was still productive in 2025, the top target for Patrick Mahomes before the quarterback suffered an ACL tear late in the season. He had 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns last season, earning his 11th-straight Pro Bowl nod.
Kelce was ranked 39th in FOX Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman’s top 100 NFL free agents ranking, placing third among tight ends.
Kelce has been vital to the Chiefs’ dynastic success, helping the team win three Super Bowls and five AFC titles since the 2019 season. He’s also earned seven All-Pro nods, logging at least 800 receiving yards every season since his rookie year.
With Kelce back in the fold, the Chiefs’ next order of business might be to add more playmakers around him and Mahomes. Thus far this offseason, the Chiefs have, most notably, signed former Seattle Seahawks running back and Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III. Many mock drafts have them selecting a wide receiver in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft (they have picks No. 9 and 29).
Kelce’s decision to return came a few days after Kansas City traded cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams. The Chiefs received four draft picks in that deal, including Los Angeles’ first-round pick (No. 29 overall).
