Travis Kelce is set to return to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 14th season as his NFL limbo looks to come to an end, according to reports.
The tight end had been plunged into deliberation over his NFL future once again this offseason amid speculation that he could retire or even leave Kansas City altogether.
However, the 36-year-old is seemingly staying loyal to the Chiefs, telling any rivals that may have been interested in acquiring him in free agency that he intends to return to Kansas City for the 2026 season, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
The three-time Super Bowl winner is set to technically become a free agent this week with the NFL’s negotiating window officially opening at noon ET on Monday and his contract with the Chiefs expiring.
Kelce would be allowed to open talks with teams around the league ahead of signing a new deal in free agency, which begins at 4pm ET on Wednesday.
The veteran would have been expected to have commanded a mega-money deal on the free agency market, given his success and star power in Kansas City.
Travis Kelce is reportedly set to return to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 14th season
Kelce, who is set to marry Taylor Swift soon, had been deliberating his NFL future this winter
However, despite not yet inking an official new deal with the Chiefs, the message that Kelce intends to stay in Kansas City for another season has reportedly been sent around the league to any potential suitors.
Kelce, who is believed to be marrying his A-list fiancee Taylor Swift this summer, is said to have chose loyalty over money.
He reportedly would rather link up with Patrick Mahomes for another season and target another shot at the Super Bowl.
Kelce was drafted by Kansas City in 2013 out of Cincinnati and has played 192 games for the team, many of which alongside his best friend Mahomes.
Kelce is an unrestricted free agent heading into Wednesday’s free agency, as his two-year, $34.25 million contract signed back in 2024 comes to an end.
The exact details of a new contract with the Chiefs remain to be seen.
Kelce’s decision comes amid multiple conflicting reports on his future with many speculating that he could finish his career somewhere other than Kansas City.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Jesse Newell reported on Sunday that sources around the league expected Kelce to return for a 14th season. But in a surprise twist, they were not sure if it would be in the red and yellow of the Chiefs.
Retirement and free agency had reportedly been on the table for the veteran tight end
‘It isn’t a sure thing that the team he plays for would be the Kansas City Chiefs. Kelce’s representatives are expected to talk to multiple teams,’ the report claimed.
Yet, the duo did admit that, given his close ties to Kansas City and the community, it would be ‘jarring’ to see Kelce suit up for any team but the Chiefs.
Russini also reported that Kelce has had ‘conversations with several teams’ during the offseason as he weighed up a big decision.
Meanwhile, last week, NFL insider Ian Rapoport suggested that if Kelce does play on for another season it is all but guaranteed that it will be for the Chiefs.
Rapoport reported that the delay was not due to any other teams being in the mix but rather the Chiefs wait to learn if Kelce was ‘1,000 percent all in’ for another season.
More to follow.
