Travis Kelce expected to return to Chiefs for 14th NFL season

Travis Kelce isn’t calling it quits just yet.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end is expected to return to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 14th NFL season, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday.

Kelce will turn down more money from other teams in free agency to stay with the Chiefs, Rapoport added.

A surprising turn of events, Kelce’s decision not to retire is a product of weeks of discussion. Rapoport reported on Feb. 8 that Kansas City hoped that Kelce would return to play and would speak with the veteran after the Super Bowl.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said on Feb. 20 ahead of the combine that the team had had “communication” with Kelce.

“As long as there’s communication, I’m good. That means people want to move forward,” Reid told reporters. “I think that’s where Trav is. I’m not trying to put words in his mouth at all and I try to give him some space here.”

The 36-year-old tight end is coming off one of his poorer statistical seasons in years, finishing with 76 receptions on 108 targets (his lowest totals in a decade) and 851 receiving yards. Kelce played his first full regular season slate in three years and was voted to the Pro Bowl for the 11th year in a row, but his Chiefs missed the postseason for the first time since 2014.

After Kansas City was eliminated in a a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a game in which star quarterback Patrick Mahomes also suffered a season-ending torn ACL, Kelce said he would give the Chiefs “everything I got” in their final three games, suggesting that they could be the last three of his career.

Kelce was treated to an ovation from Chiefs Kingdom in Kansas City’s Week 17 loss to Denver, thought to be his final game at Arrowhead. He soaked in the scene at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas after the Chiefs’ season-ending defeat to the Raiders. Following the Week 18 game, Kelce said the decision to retire would probably take some time.

Nearly two months later, the tight end has made his decision. He’ll return to the Chiefs in 2026.