Chiefs Legend Travis Kelce Nears Surprise 14th NFL Season

The veteran tight end is expected to return for another year, but his future with the Chiefs remains uncertain.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce is reportedly close to deciding to return for a 14th NFL season, despite being set to become a free agent. While the Chiefs are still in the mix to re-sign the 11-time Pro Bowler, it's not a certainty he will remain in Kansas City for the upcoming year.

Why it matters

Kelce is a franchise icon for the Chiefs, having spent his entire 13-year career in Kansas City. His potential departure would be a major loss for the team and fanbase, though the Chiefs appear to still be frontrunners to retain the veteran tight end's services.

The details

Kelce, who is 36 years old, is set to become an unrestricted free agent on Monday. The Chiefs have had ongoing dialogue with Kelce and his representatives, but his future remains uncertain. While reports indicate Kelce is expected to play in 2026, it's unclear if that will be with the Chiefs or potentially another team, which would be highly unusual for the long-time Kansas City star.

  • Kelce is set to become a free agent on Monday, March 18, 2026.
  • Chiefs general manager Brett Veach discussed Kelce's future during the NFL Scouting Combine in late February 2026.

The players

Travis Kelce

A 36-year-old tight end who has spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs, making 11 Pro Bowls.

Brett Veach

The general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, who has discussed the team's efforts to retain Kelce.

Andy Reid

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, who has had dialogue with Kelce about his future.

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What they’re saying

“We've kind of prepared for either scenario (retire or come back). Coach (Andy Reid) mentioned on Friday he'd had great dialogue with Travis on our end.”

— Brett Veach, General Manager, Kansas City Chiefs (The Athletic)

“Travis is the best. He's an icon. Hopefully, he comes back, and we'll just kind of let that process play out.”

— Brett Veach, General Manager, Kansas City Chiefs (The Athletic)

What’s next

The Chiefs will continue contract negotiations with Kelce and his representatives ahead of the start of free agency on March 18, 2026, to determine if he will return to Kansas City for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The potential departure of Travis Kelce, a Chiefs legend and one of the NFL's best tight ends, would be a major blow to the franchise. However, the team appears to be making a concerted effort to retain Kelce's services, underscoring his importance to the organization and its fanbase.