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Jason McCourty Defends Travis Kelce's Future with Chiefs
Former NFL player argues it's a "no-brainer" for Kansas City to bring back the veteran tight end.
Feb. 23, 2026 at 2:52pm
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As questions swirl around Travis Kelce's future with the Kansas City Chiefs, former NFL defensive back Jason McCourty strongly defended the All-Pro tight end's value, dismissing narratives that he has declined to the point of being expendable. McCourty argued that despite a slight dip in production, Kelce remains a highly productive player who is central to the Chiefs' offensive identity and deserves to stay in Kansas City.
Why it matters
Kelce's future with the Chiefs is uncertain as he enters the 2026 offseason at 37 years old. His potential departure would be a significant loss for the team, as he has been a key part of their success over the past decade. McCourty's comments push back on the notion that the Chiefs should move on from Kelce, highlighting his continued value and importance to the team.
The details
McCourty appeared on ESPN's "Get Up" and stated that bringing Kelce back is a "no-brainer" for the Chiefs. He noted that Kelce is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer and was still highly productive last season, despite narrowly missing the 1,000-yard mark in each of the last three seasons. McCourty argued that expectations have distorted the perception of Kelce's performance, and that he remains one of the top tight ends in the NFL.
- Kelce turns 37 in October 2026.
The players
Jason McCourty
A former NFL defensive back who is now a media personality.
Travis Kelce
An All-Pro tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs who is entering the 2026 offseason with an uncertain future.
Andy Reid
The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Patrick Mahomes
The quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, with whom Kelce has developed strong chemistry.
What they’re saying
“No brainer. Absolutely we're bringing him back. Not only because of what he's done and what he means. He's going to obviously be a first-ballot Hall of Famer with what he's done in a Kansas City Chiefs uniform. But he was still good last year.”
— Jason McCourty, Former NFL defensive back
“There is communication. As long as there's communication, I'm good.”
— Andy Reid, Head Coach, Kansas City Chiefs
What’s next
The Chiefs will need to decide whether to bring Kelce back for the 2026 season, with the team and player currently in communication about his future.
The takeaway
Despite a slight dip in production, Travis Kelce remains a highly valuable and productive player for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jason McCourty's strong defense of Kelce's continued worth to the team suggests the Chiefs would be wise to bring back the future Hall of Famer for at least one more season.
