Chiefs Coach Drops Hint About Travis Kelce's Future

Eric Bieniemy's comments suggest the star tight end will return in 2026.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 3:31pm

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In a recent interview, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy expressed excitement about reuniting with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce for the 2026 season. Bieniemy's comments, which included references to "getting back in the grind" and "chopping wood" with the two players, are being interpreted as a hint that Kelce plans to return for another year rather than retire.

Why it matters

Kelce's future has been a topic of speculation, with the star tight end reportedly considering retirement last offseason. His return would be a major boost for the Chiefs' offense as they look to build on their recent success.

The details

Bieniemy's comments came as he discussed his return to the Chiefs' coaching staff after a brief stint elsewhere. While he did not explicitly state that Kelce will be back, Bieniemy's enthusiasm about reuniting with the tight end and quarterback Mahomes suggests the team expects Kelce to continue playing.

  • Bieniemy made the comments on January 28, 2026.

The players

Eric Bieniemy

The offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, who previously held the same role before briefly leaving the team.

Travis Kelce

The star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, who has been with the team since 2013 and is considered a future Hall of Famer.

Patrick Mahomes

The quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, who has led the team to multiple Super Bowl appearances and wins.

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What they’re saying

“I've had just a small, minimal conversation with both, but more than anything, it's just the excitement of reuniting. Is the excitement high? Yes. Am I fired up? Yes. Do I respect the hell out of both those guys? Yes. I'm looking forward to getting back in the grind and chopping wood with them.”

— Eric Bieniemy, Offensive Coordinator, Kansas City Chiefs

What’s next

Fans and analysts will likely continue to monitor Kelce's comments and actions in the coming months to see if he confirms his plans to return for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Bieniemy's enthusiastic comments about reuniting with Kelce and Mahomes suggest the Chiefs are expecting their star tight end to return for the 2026 season, providing a boost to their high-powered offense as they look to build on their recent success.