When tight end Travis Kelce walked off the field at Allegiant Stadium on Jan. 4, many wondered if the future Hall of Famer’s storied career was over. While an official decision has yet to be made, the latest reports suggest there is a strong preference for him to return for another season.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, many people close to Kelce believe he will return to play for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026. With reports that a 14th season could be in the works, the return of one of the best tight ends in NFL history is considered increasingly likely.
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Kelce surpassed his 2024 numbers in his age-36 season. Despite attracting 25 fewer targets and catching 21 fewer passes than the previous year, Kelce had more receiving yards and touchdowns and averaged significantly more yards per catch (11.2) than the previous year.
If Kelce returns to the NFL in 2026, he’ll have a chance to climb higher on the all-time charts in several key categories. He’s just 45 yards shy of career receiving yardage leader Jason Witten (13,046); with another 800-plus yard season, he would be ahead of Julio Jones (13,703 yards) and just behind Chris Carter (13,899 yards). In 2026, he may also surpass Calvin Johnson (83), Hines Ward (85) and Andre Reed (87) in career touchdowns.
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For Kansas City, Kelce’s return will require re-signing him. The question is, given his declining production, how much he wants to make since he turns 37 in October. It would be easier if he accepted a team-friendly deal that allowed the front office to spend more money to improve the rushing attack.
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Even if he is brought back, the Chiefs may want to use premium draft capital to find Kelce’s successor. While it’s unlikely they’ll use their first-round pick on Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq, there will be some good options on day two of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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