Chiefs’ Travis Kelce knows when he will make decision for 2026 NFL season
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Travis Kelce’s potential retirement has been a hot topic for several seasons, but the Kansas City Chiefs superstar won’t touch on it as playoff excitement heats up.
But the Chiefs and the rest of the NFL may get a timeline on when that decision will come.
Playing his 13th season in the NFL in Kansas City, Kelce left the door open for his 14th year in the league.
But he is entering the final year of his contract with the Chiefs, which raises the question of whether he wants to return or officially hang up his cleats to complete his Hall of Fame career.
CLICK TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS FOXNEWS.COM
Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on November 16, 2025 in Denver, Colo. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Before the Chiefs face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Kelce, who hopes to end a two-game losing streak, said he will inform the Chiefs of his decision before the NFL’s free agency period begins in March 2026.
“Whether I come back or not, whether they want me or not, I want to give the Chiefs a good opportunity,” Kelce said. via ESPN. “I want to make this decision before the draft picks are made and the free agency period opens to properly fill the roster.
“All this will happen at the end of the season. I won’t think about it until then.”
TYREEK HILL PRAISES HEAD COACH AS A ‘F—ING ANIMAL’ AFTER BREAKING UP WITH TRUMP OVER NFL Kickoff RULE
The 36-year-old actor discussed his future, specifically how he wants to get out. While his fiancée is all about tours, Kelce is the exact opposite.
He doesn’t want a “farewell tour.”
“This is not me,” he said.
There are a few reasons to think Kelce will return for the 2026 NFL season, and one of them is his production this season. While the Chiefs were 5-5, Patrick Mahomes and Kelce maintained their patented chemistry on the field that helped them to three Super Bowl wins together. Many questioned what Kelce still had left in the tank after last season, even though the tight end year resulted in 97 catches for 823 yards and three scores.
Kelce is poised for his eighth 1,000-yard season. He has 50 receptions for 631 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games. He may not be averaging over 70 yards per game like he did in his seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, but that still works out to 63.1 yards per game. And Mahomes finds it in the end zone.
Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs runs onto the field during a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on November 16, 2025 in Denver, Colo. (Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
The Chiefs had some receiving issues in 2025, but the return of Rashee Rice following his suspension has led to a revamped Chiefs passing attack. But Kelce’s numbers rank him among the best in the NFL.
Only Arizona Cardinals star Trey McBride has more receiving yards (718) at tight end than Kelce this season, while the veteran leads the Chiefs in targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns.
Kelce thanked his teammates for their performance so far this year.
“I think you see right now that I am a product of my environment,” he said. “It all depends on how the offensive line works, how the players around us work and of course me and my chemistry. [Mahomes] “We’ve managed to accumulate over the years.”
“He did a great job,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said of his trusted tight end. “He worked like crazy this summer to get himself in top shape, which is what you have to do when you get to the older ages. You have to work a little harder and that’s what he did. It’s paying off for him.”
Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs stands on the sideline during the national anthem before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on November 2, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Kelce’s future will continue to be a topic for the rest of his career, whether it’s after the 2025 season or down the road. The same was true for his older brother Jason Kelce; Jason said he was finally leaving the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2023 season.
For now, Travis is focused on helping the Chiefs return to the playoffs. It looks like the AFC West championship will belong to a team not named the Chiefs for the first time since 2015, when they lost to the league-leading Denver Broncos with a 9-2 record.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports streaming on X and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
