NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
The hourglass has been turned and the NFL world is waiting to see what Travis Kelce decides regarding his playing future.
Kelce entered the 2025 season with one year remaining on his contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. He signed a two-year extension with the team before the start of the 2024 season, in what some thought would be the final two years of his legendary career.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 9, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
NFL teams and players can make deals starting Monday at noon ET, while contracts cannot be officially signed on Wednesday. Reports emerged Sunday about what the star tight end could do as the bitter cold winter begins to thaw and the offseason really heats up.
Kelce is expected to return for his 14th NFL season in which he will be 37 years old at the middle of it, The Athletic reported. However, there is no guarantee he will return to the Chiefs, and his representatives are expected to speak to several teams before making a decision.
The new report emerged a few weeks after the Associated Press reported that Kelce would only play for the Chiefs — if he played at all.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates after a catch and run against the Chicago Bears during the first half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on August 22, 2025. (Denny Medley/Imagn Images)
“I think we kind of took a different approach with Travis in the sense that we prepared for either scenario,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Coach (Andy Reid) had mentioned on Friday (that he) had a great dialogue with Travis. From our side, myself (assistant general manager) Chris Shea and Travis’ team, we had a good dialogue there.
“I’m sure we’ll see it here, just like we’ll see it for all the other players’ agents, and we’ll continue that dialogue. Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he’ll come back and we’ll just let this process play out.”
Kelce is a three-time Super Bowl champion, 11-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro. His numbers were just a bit better than 2024’s.
He had 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns as the Chiefs finished an uncharacteristic 6-11.
“It’s not typical — hey, a 27-year-old for the first time in free agency,” Veach added. “Travis has done everything, he’s accomplished everything – he’s about to get married, there’s a lot going on. So I don’t think we’re not trying to do it – you need some kind of deadline (or) timeline, but at the same time, it’s Travis Kelce, so we’re just going to continue to have positive dialogue and see where it ends up. I think we’re trying to position ourselves either way, we have a plan moving forward.”
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (right) autographs a book for Edenne Flinn (left) after being hit by Kelce’s golf ball on the 18th hole during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 13, 2026. (Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Kelce’s decision will send shockwaves through the NFL either way.
Related article
