The 2025 season was a disastrous one for the Chiefs as they struggled to play quality football for most of the year before Patrick Mahomes went down with a season-ending torn ACL. It marked the official end of Kansas City’s dynastic run that began in 2019. It also might have been a sad final season for future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce.
The 36-year-old Kelce caught 76 passes for 851 yards and five touchdowns in his 13th NFL season. Those made for solid numbers but weren’t nearly enough to make up for the lack of talent in the pass-catching corps in Kansas City and, obviously, are a far cry from what Kelce proved capable of at his peak. With his decline undeniable and the Chiefs in need of a serious overhaul to return to contention, many wondered if Kelce would retire this offseason.
With the Super Bowl arriving there hasn’t been any firm news in regards to the tight end’s future in the NFL. On Sunday, ahead of Patriots-Seahawks, NFL insider Ian Rapoport gave an update on the situation and reported Kelce will meet with the Chiefs to decide his future after the Super Bowl.
“The perennial Pro Bowler, who had a resurgent 2025 to reassert his place among the game's best despite being 36 years old, has not made a firm decision on his future,” Rapoport wrote. “However, he has been in touch with his team about a potential return and Kansas City wants him back, sources say. The plan is to reconvene after the Super Bowl to finalize a plan that works for both parties.”
Key figures in Kansas City have made it clear since the season ended the franchise wants Kelce to return. But unlike last year in which the Chiefs were just waiting on Kelce’s word as to whether he’d play out the final year of his deal, the star tight end is a free agent and will need a new deal if he does want to play another season. Once Kelce expresses that desire a deal will be struck in short order but it’s an extra aspect of the equation that wasn’t present in the past.
With Eric Bieniemy back in the fold as offensive coordinator signs are pointing to a Kelce return for 2026. Based on the timeline Rapoport lays out above we should find out sooner rather than later.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Travis Kelce to Meet With Chiefs After Super Bowl to Decide NFL Future.
