There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs entering the offseason, something that hasn’t been the case in quite some time. How Patrick Mahomes recovers from tearing his ACL — and whether he’ll indeed be ready to go for Week 1 — is the number one storyline. Not far behind, however, is the future of Travis Kelce.
The future Hall of Fame tight end has been pretty tight-lipped about what comes next, but recent comments regarding the hiring of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy might have given us a hint at what’s to come.
Kelce spoke on the New Heights podcast about his excitement to have Bieniemy back in Kansas City, and he certainly sounded like someone who intends to play for him in 2026–27.
“I can’t wait to see him back in the building. He’s one of my favorite coaches of all time. One of my favorite people of all time. I’ve had so many unbelievable, growing moments under him as a player and as a person. I just love the guy, and it’s going to be awesome to see him back in the building and see him wearing the Chiefs logo, baby,”
The 36-year-old Kelce is coming off a solid 2025–26 season in which he racked up 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns.
He is, of course, set to become a free agent after playing out the second and final year of the two-year, $34.25 million extension he signed with the Chiefs in 2024.
Travis Kelce Won’t Want to Go Out on a Low
Not everyone gets to go out the way they want and finish their career on a high note. That said, the all-time greats tend to find a way to do it, so it should come as no surprise if Kelce — by the sounds of it — continues to play.
Going 6–11 and missing the playoffs has undoubtedly left a sour taste in his mouth, and given how competitive he is, you know he’ll want to be part of the bounce-back year that reminds everyone the Chiefs are still that team.
It should also be noted that Kelce sits just 44 yards behind Jason Witten for the second-most receiving yards by a tight end in NFL history — perhaps another small incentive to give it one last kick at the can.
As much as Kelce may be disliked by opposing fanbases around the league, things won’t be the same in Kansas City without him. For that reason alone, it would be great for the league to see him in action for 17 more games — and possibly a few playoff games as well.
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