Chiefs, Travis Kelce Negotiating 1-Year Deal: Report

NFL insider says Kansas City is working toward a new contract with the star tight end.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly in talks with star tight end Travis Kelce on a new one-year contract as free agency kicks off across the NFL. NFL insider Albert Breer indicated that the Chiefs are working toward a deal with Kelce before the legal tampering window opens.

Why it matters

Kelce is one of the Chiefs' most beloved veterans and a key part of their offense. Retaining him on a new contract would be a major boost for Kansas City as they look to build on their recent success and make another Super Bowl run.

The details

According to reports, the Chiefs are negotiating a one-year deal with Kelce as they have just over $24 million in available salary cap space. Kansas City's front office will need to be careful not to overpay for any players, even longtime stars like Kelce, as they prepare for free agency.

  • The legal tampering window for NFL free agency opens at 11 a.m. CT on March 9, 2026.

The players

Travis Kelce

A star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and a future Hall of Famer.

Brett Veach

The general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, who will need to carefully manage the team's salary cap during free agency.

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What they’re saying

“While there seems to be a consensus that Kelce will return to Western Missouri in 2026, it remains to be seen how much the Chiefs will have to pay him for his services next season.”

— Albert Breer, NFL Insider (NBC Sports Boston)

What’s next

The Chiefs and Kelce will need to finalize a new contract before the start of the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

Retaining a star player like Travis Kelce is crucial for the Chiefs as they look to remain one of the top teams in the NFL. However, the team will need to balance Kelce's value with their available salary cap space as they navigate the free agency period.