In a 13-year storied NFL career, 11 Pro Bowl appearances, and three Super Bowl titles, Travis Kelce has only known one home: the Kansas City Chiefs. However, since last season, the tight end has been walking a thin rope hovering over retirement. After flirting with the idea, he returned in 2025 to undo their Super Bowl LIX heartbreak. But a disappointing season has started the speculation mill again. And once again, he has confirmed his stance on his future with the red and gold.

“I got so much love for this team, this organization, and the people here. So I’ll spend some time with them, go through exit meetings tomorrow, and get close to the family and figure things out,” Kelce said after KC’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

“Who knows? Who knows? Either it hits me quick, or I gotta take some time. I think last year was a little bit easier. I think I knew right away I wanted to kind of give this one a shot. So I don’t know; we’ll see.”

After last season, the tight end stayed quiet on his retirement with one more year on the contract remaining. However, he soon updated that he would indeed return. Over the offseason, he personally trained in Florida before returning to Missouri for some team reps. And individually, those efforts produced results.

If it was Kelce’s last NFL season, he has made a huge case for why he is one of the greatest to ever play in his position. He was by far Kansas City’s most productive pass-catcher in 2025, recording 73 catches for 839 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games. All three of those marks were team-highs for the Chiefs. He’s also rewritten his name in the record books this season:

• He has eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau on seven occasions, three more than any other player in the position
• His four first-team All-Pro appearances rank tied for second among tight ends in league history, only bested by former Chiefs and Falcons star Tony Gonzalez
• He also ranks third in catches and receiving yards and fifth in touchdowns for players in his position
• He is currently an active leader with over 1077 career receptions
• Kelce eclipsed the 13,000-yard mark with his display against the Raiders in Week 18, joining Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten
• He also crossed 75 catches on the season, matching Tim Brown for the most consecutive 75-catch seasons.

But while it may look like he has enough accolades to call it a day, there may be some reasons that can get Kelce back to the Chiefs in 2026.

Why Travis Kelce might return to the Chiefs

The 2025 season carried multiple ups and downs for the Chiefs, from seeing their franchise quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, limp off the field to never return, missing the playoffs in 14 years, and learning that they will soon bid adieu to Arrowhead, but none would be worse than seeing their legendary tight end hang up his cleats. However, while head coach Andy Reid affirmed that the two have not discussed the topic yet, there are a handful of reasons why Kelce might want to return.

The very first one would be his hunger to win. Kelce was one of the first tight ends to make the position cool when everyone wanted to be wide receivers instead. And even though his overall performance is slumping, he still wants to win. A 6-10 record certainly doesn’t feel like it would be how he wants to end his NFL chapter.

Then, with the team already announcing their move away from Arrowhead, he may want to continue his legacy for as long as they stay in Missouri. One hurdle that the KC No. 87 can face is the fact that the next year feels like a rebuild year for the Chiefs in more ways than one. With younger players entering to bring back KC’s lost dynasty, Kelce might get less time on the field even if the 36-year-old returned. But there’s one of the biggest reasons why he might want to return.

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That reason goes by the No. 15 in Kansas City. Kelce has already established that even if he were to leave the NFL today, his familial relationship with Patrick Mahomes will never see an end. However, their on-field connection didn’t end the way either of the two would’ve wanted.

Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear in their Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. In that 13-16 loss, the final throw by the quarterback to his favorite tight end on the field was an 11-yard pass on a first down with just 3:34 minutes remaining in the regulation. Just after 1:34 minutes, Mahomes fell, clutching his leg in agony. And little did the two know that that 11-yard pass could be their last in Kelce’s professional career.

However, if the two want to be the veteran lead in a rebuilding Chiefs, Kelce might return and show the players behind him just how the two connected on the field with little more than just a nod in complicated situations.

If the Week 18 game at Allegiant Stadium was indeed his last game, though, he certainly wouldn’t like the fact that he fulfilled Raider defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s wish. In the 14-12 loss, he tallied just three catches for 12 yards. This would be his third of the final five games where he was held under 15 yards.

So, while the Chiefdom is waiting for him to take a moment to reflect and discuss whether this season would end his NFL career, one more player is holding his breath as he counts on his legendary tight end.

Chris Jones shares his take on Travis Kelce’s future

After the game, Chris Jones did not hesitate when asked about Travis Kelce’s future. Instead, he leaned into belief. Speaking with confidence, the Chiefs’ defensive star said he fully expects No. 87 back in the huddle at Arrowhead Stadium.

“I’m not buying it, he’ll be back next year,” Jones said. “I can’t promise you anything about another man.”

When the Chiefs lost their final regular-season home game 20-13 against the Denver Broncos in December, Jones had pleaded with Kelce to not retire and give the team just one more year to return to their old ways.

However, if Kelce does decide to walk away, the City of Fountains would be saying goodbye to something rare. Kelce arrived in the NFL in 2013 and played 13 seasons. With three Super Bowl rings, it would close the book on one of the most dominant tight end runs the league has ever seen. The legacy is secure. And even as his skill set has slowed, his presence still matters. But for now, the team and everyone else will wait to hear his final word on the call.