Travis

Kelce

Kelce has reportedly been in touch with Andy Reid and the Chiefs in recent weeks after the Chiefs inexplicably missed the postseason. Kelce, 36, has mulled retirement in each of the past three offseasons and seems more serious about the prospect of hanging it up following the disappointment of 2025. “We are prepared for either scenario,” Veach said Tuesday. Kelce caught 76 passes for 851 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. Only five tight ends had more receptions than Kelce and a mere three tight ends had more receiving yards. Kelce ranked 22nd in tight end yards per route run and 14th in yards after the catch per reception.

Reid added that he believes communication is “the main thing” and that he thinks Kelce wants “to move forward.” Reid declined to say whether Kelce gave him a definite answer on whether he wants to return to the Chiefs in 2026, but it sounds like things are trending in that direction. Kelce, 36, has mulled retirement over the last few offseasons, but the prevailing belief of those close to him is that he will return for at least one more season. Kelce caught 76 passes for 851 yards and five touchdowns last season while averaging 11.2 YPR, his highest yards per reception total since 2022.

He’d be entering his age-37 season, but most of the smoke since the end of the season has pointed in this direction. The Chiefs are currently significantly over the cap and would probably need to shuffle some salaries around to get Kelce — an impending free agent — under contract. Kelce himself has reportedly been in touch with the Chiefs about a return, and Dianna Russini reported yesterday that many close to Kelce believe he will return. Rapoport says we should expect clarity “sooner, rather than later” on Kelce’s 2026 status.

Kelce appeared at multiple events in San Francisco during Super Bowl week. While the future Mr. Taylor Swift has discussed retirement, Russini claims a 14th season could be in the works for the 36-year-old tight end with many close to him believing he’ll return. Kelce would have to work out a new contract with the Chiefs as he’s currently an unrestricted free agent. While he’s set to waltz into the Hall of Fame whenever he calls it quits, it’s understandable that he wouldn’t want to end his career with Patrick Mahomes getting hurt and the Chiefs missing the playoffs in his final season.

In what might have been his final NFL game, Kelce was tied for the team lead in receptions as the Chiefs did their best to get him involved. It was a tough way to go out — if Kelce indeed retires this offseason — after a Hall of Fame career that included 1,077 receptions and nearly 23,000 yards. Kelce scored 82 touchdowns over 13 seasons with the Chiefs, though he managed just eight scores over his final 32 NFL games. Kelce acquitted himself well in 2025, ranking sixth in tight end receptions and fourth in tight end receiving yards. His early-career explosiveness gone, Kelce remained a tactician in 2025. He would remain a usable fantasy option if he returns for the 2026 season.

This is not a surprise, but it does help us set a timeline for when Kelce might make his decision. It doesn’t sound like we will know whether or not Kelce is done anytime soon. Rapoport noted that Kelce will not play for a team other than Kansas City if he chooses to keep the cleats on for another season. Kelce is an impending free agent, but he and the Chiefs should have no issues working out a one-year deal to give him a final ride if that’s what he wants. If not, a Week 18 date with the Raiders will be his last game.

Kelce couldn’t get much going in what might have been his final game in Arrowhead Stadium. That was, however, until the last drive of the night, when third-string passer Chris Oladokun connected with him three times for 23 yards. It was the best sendoff the Chiefs could muster for Kelce after losing Patrick Mahomes to a torn ACL two weeks ago. With nothing left to play for in Week 18, Kelce is barely a TE2 to close out the year.

This was the second time in three weeks Kelce was held to one catch for under 10 yards. This time was a little more understandable as a team already missing Patrick Mahomes then lost Gardner Minshew to a first half knee injury. That left unknown fourth-year pro Chris Oladokun to deliver the football, and deliver it he did not. Isiah Pacheco led the team in receptions. With Minshew believed to be out for Christmas Day against the Broncos, Kelce can no longer be trusted as a TE1 with Oladokun under center. That’s if he even plays. Kelce has said he will finish the season, but the injury risk may no longer be worth it without a legitimate signal caller.

We assumed this would be the case, but it is good to know nonetheless. The Chiefs are eliminated from playoff contention and Kelce’s “best friend on the roster,” QB Patrick Mahomes (knee),” is out for the year. The 36-year-old tight end needs just 203 receiving yards to “become the oldest tight end in the NFL’s history to record 1,000 yards in a season.”

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Rice “reported concussion symptoms on Monday and entered the league’s protocol.” Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton is also in the league’s concussion protocol, potentially leaving the receiving corps short-staffed for QB Gardner Minshew against the Titans this week. Chiefs TE Travis Kelce could get a chance to pad his stats, given the state of things, on Sunday.