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Any concerns about 11-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce’s career continuing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026 were apparently unwarranted.
Shortly after news broke that Kelce would return to the only NFL team he’s ever played for, the 36-year-old tight end said he made the decision “about midway through” last season.
“About halfway through the season,” Kelce said on the latest episode of “New Heights,” the podcast he co-hosts with his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.
While questions arose when Kelce took a little longer to reveal his decision, he made it clear he didn’t want to make an emotional decision.
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce walks the sideline before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. (Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)
“I took Jason Kelce’s advice. I took the advice to take a step back. You’ve got to let the emotions clear and you’ve got to have a clear head. I’ve made decisions based on emotions and they haven’t always played out the right way. So I think you take a step back, let the emotions settle… it still felt like I was hungry enough to get back into it a little bit, and of course there was a little bit of emotion. I f—-g hated the way that finished last year and I want to make it right.”
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Kelce said his decision to return was also driven by another shot at NFL glory. “And I want a chance at another f—–g Super Bowl,” he said.
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)
A 6-11 finish in the 2025 season meant the Chiefs were on the outside looking in to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
With the Chiefs’ offseason getting off to an earlier-than-usual start, Patrick Mahomes’ season-ending ACL injury and the uncertainty surrounding Kelce’s future are being watched closely in Kansas City.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates after a catch and run against the Chicago Bears in the first half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Aug. 22, 2025. (Denny Medley/Imagn Images)
Kelce finished last season with 851 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions.
The Chiefs selected Kelce in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Kansas City made a splash in free agency this week, signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to bolster its backcourt.
