Chiefs Owner Endorses Travis Kelce's Continued Playing Ability

Veteran tight end weighing retirement decision after another strong season

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:55am

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Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt expressed confidence that veteran tight end Travis Kelce can continue playing at a high level, despite Kelce's uncertainty about returning for another season. Kelce, 36, is considering retirement after another productive campaign, but Hunt made clear the team hopes Kelce will decide to play on.

Why it matters

Kelce is a future Hall of Famer and one of the most dominant tight ends of his era. His potential retirement would be a major loss for the Chiefs and the NFL, so the team is eager to retain his services if possible.

The details

In a recent interview, Kelce said he is weighing whether his body can withstand another full 18-21 week season. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt stated unequivocally that Kelce can still play at a high level, and the team is hopeful the veteran tight end will choose to return for at least one more year.

  • Kelce made comments about his future on his New Heights podcast a few weeks ago.
  • Hunt offered his endorsement of Kelce's continued playing ability in an interview on Tuesday.

The players

Travis Kelce

A 36-year-old tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs who is considering retirement after another productive season.

Clark Hunt

The owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, who expressed confidence that Kelce can still play at a high level.

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What they’re saying

“There's no doubt in my mind that he can still play.”

— Clark Hunt, Chiefs Owner (Good Morning Football)

“If my body can heal up, rest up and I can feel confident that I can go out there and give it another 18-20/21 week run, I think I would do it in a heartbeat.”

— Travis Kelce (New Heights podcast)

What’s next

Kelce is expected to make a decision on his future in the coming weeks, with the Chiefs hoping he will return for at least one more season.

The takeaway

Kelce's potential retirement would be a major loss for the Chiefs and the NFL, but the team's owner has expressed confidence in the tight end's continued ability to play at a high level, raising hopes that Kelce will choose to return for another season.