Chiefs' Mahomes Celebrates Kelce's Return With Signature Emojis

Longtime QB-TE duo look to make one last run at Super Bowl glory.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took to social media to express his excitement over the reported return of longtime teammate and star tight end Travis Kelce for the 2026 NFL season. Mahomes shared photos of the duo together and used his signature emojis - an alarm clock and a bow and arrow - to signify that the time is now for the Chiefs to make another championship push, with Kelce as Mahomes' top target.

Why it matters

Mahomes and Kelce have been one of the most prolific quarterback-receiver tandems in the NFL over the past decade, winning a Super Bowl together and setting numerous postseason records. With Kelce nearing the end of his career, this 2026 season could represent the last chance for the duo to win another title together and cement their legacy as one of the all-time great partnerships in league history.

The details

Kelce, 36, is reportedly set to return to the Chiefs for his 14th NFL season in 2026. The three-time Super Bowl champion is coming off a productive 2025 campaign in which he tallied 851 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Despite some speculation that he could explore options with other teams this offseason, Kelce has spent his entire career in Kansas City and is expected to once again be Mahomes' top receiving threat as the duo looks to bounce back from a disappointing 6-11 season and missed playoffs in 2025.

  • Mahomes shared the celebratory social media post on Monday afternoon.

The players

Patrick Mahomes

The star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, who has formed a prolific partnership with tight end Travis Kelce over the past decade.

Travis Kelce

The veteran tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, who is set to return for his 14th NFL season in 2026 after spending his entire career in Kansas City.

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What they’re saying

“He's family now. I think through all the hard work and all the family time that we've had outside the facility and outside the building, there'll definitely never be a goodbye to him. It'll just be like another day in the life with Patty Mahomes. What he's been to my career up to this point, you can't measure it.”

— Travis Kelce (Sports Illustrated)

What’s next

The Chiefs will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season and make another Super Bowl run in what could be the final season together for the Mahomes-Kelce duo.

The takeaway

The return of Kelce gives the Chiefs and their star quarterback Mahomes one more chance to win another championship and cement their legacy as one of the all-time great quarterback-receiver tandems in NFL history.