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Travis Kelce enters year 14 in the NFL when he steps foot on the gridiron with his beloved Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, which a close friend and tight end said is a good thing for the league.
After recent seasons, the question of whether Kelce, a future Pro Football Hall of Famer, will still be playing football has come up. Each time, including this offseason, the 11-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro has answered with a resounding yes.
Greg Olsen, who Kelce works with with their Tight End University Summit each offseason, spoke with the Chiefs star recently. He told Pakinomist Digital he still sees that fire inside Kelce when he talked about strapping on the pads for 2026 — a season in which he’ll be 37.
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Travis Kelce (87) of Kansas City looks on during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
“I think just getting to know Travis and how much he loves to play the game and how much he loves to compete and obviously the career he’s had as far as first-ballot Hall of Famers — he’s as close to a lock as you’re going to find — especially considering that the tight end position takes some guys a little bit longer, even though they’re super deserving of him,” Olsen says. “I think the Chiefs are smart to have him back.
“I got some time with him a couple of weeks ago and he’s super excited for a fresh season, for the team, for himself.”
The Chiefs reached an acceptable deal with Kelce, whose contract was up after this past season. Now that he’s in place for 2026, as well as a reunion with Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator, the Chiefs are focused on the health of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who needed ACL surgery after injuring it during a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
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“It’s one of the best tight end-quarterback combinations ever,” Olsen added, acknowledging one of the league’s best duos in recent memory. “So I’m happy about that [Kelce] just as a friend, as a football fan.”
While it may be a pain for Kelce to keep hearing about retirement, Olsen also understands that Kelce has had the opportunity that not many can say they do during a grueling football career — to walk away on your own terms.
That is what Olsen wishes for his friend in the end, whenever that may be.
“I would love to see him go out when he wants to finish,” Olsen explained. “Very few guys are able to earn that right throughout their NFL career to say, ‘You know what? I’m done when I say I’m done.’ It typically doesn’t work that way. Very few guys have that swan song, perfect ending that goes under the confetti and the Super Bowl. It’s a dream scenario that everyone hopes will be them.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) greets fans as he arrives prior to training camp at Missouri Western State University on July 28, 2023 in St. Joseph, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/USA TODAY Sports)
“But if there’s one guy who deserves to have his career end the right way because of everything he’s stood for, everything he’s done, how hard he’s worked, the success he’s had, individually and collectively, Trav is at the top of the list.”
Olsen, who serves as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports, is excited at the prospect of covering more games with Kelce and the Chiefs as he looks to enjoy the rest of his career.
And it’s a career defined by three Super Bowl titles, and more than enough accolades to end with a bronze bust in Canton one day.
“I never thought I’d see a day when people started saying, ‘Is anybody better than Tony Gonzalez?’ Then comes Gronk and that conversation. When it’s all said and done, Travis might be at the top of the list, which 10 years ago sounded crazy that someone would surpass some of those guys. His career is unparalleled and the league is better off when he plays,” Olsen concluded.
Broadcaster Greg Olsen watches before the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on September 7, 2025. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
INSIDE THE FRONT OFFICE MIND
While Olsen enjoyed 14 years in the NFL, his next chapter in the game provides sharp analysis for FOX Sports broadcasts throughout the year.
To help him do that in the offseason while watching the NFL Draft and free picks from each franchise, Olsen has used NFL IQ, the new interactive hub created by the league and Amazon Web Services powered by Amazon Quick.
Leading up to the draft, NFL IQ transformed raw data from the NFL Combine and team needs, free agency moves and more into this hub that gives fans access to key insights and puts them in the shoes of front office decision makers. Whether it’s the casual fan or a top analyst like Olsen, NFL IQ is an easy-to-use way to expand your football knowledge, especially at a crucial time of roster building like the draft.
“This is the most educated fan base in the history of the NFL, and I think that’s a good thing,” Olsen said.
General view of NFL IQ, the new interactive hub from the league and Amazon Web Services, powered by Amazon Quick. (NFL IQ)
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“Fans actually have a way to access the exact same data, the exact same information that the teams and everybody uses for their own interest, whether it’s something casual or for people who really want to get down to the nitty-gritty.
“I think it’s a really fun set of tools for the wide variety of people that touch the NFL field. I know, as a fan, and now a professional in the industry, that’s a big part of my interaction with the game.”
