Travis Kelce isn't calling it quits just yet.
The veteran tight end is returning to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 14th NFL season, agreeing to a one-year, $12 million contract that is worth up to $15 million, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday, per sources.
Kelce is turning down more money from other teams in free agency to stay with the Chiefs, Rapoport added.
A surprising turn of events, Kelce's decision not to retire is a product of weeks of discussion. Rapoport reported on Feb. 8 that Kansas City hoped that Kelce would return to play and would speak with the veteran after the Super Bowl.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said on Feb. 20 ahead of the combine that the team had had "communication" with Kelce.
"As long as there's communication, I'm good. That means people want to move forward," Reid told reporters. "I think that's where Trav is. I'm not trying to put words in his mouth at all and I try to give him some space here."
The 36-year-old tight end is coming off one of his poorer statistical seasons in years, finishing with 76 receptions on 108 targets (his lowest totals in a decade) and 851 receiving yards. Kelce played his first full regular season slate in three years and was voted to the Pro Bowl for the 11th year in a row, but his Chiefs missed the postseason for the first time since 2014.
After Kansas City was eliminated in a a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a game in which star quarterback Patrick Mahomes also suffered a season-ending torn ACL, Kelce said he would give the Chiefs "everything I got" in their final three games, suggesting that they could be the last three of his career.
Kelce was treated to an ovation from Chiefs Kingdom in Kansas City's Week 17 loss to Denver, thought to be his final game at Arrowhead. He soaked in the scene at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas after the Chiefs' season-ending defeat to the Raiders. Following the Week 18 game, Kelce said the decision to retire would probably take some time.
Nearly two months later, the tight end has made his decision. He'll return to the Chiefs in 2026.
Kansas City's first order of business will be re-signing Kelce. The Chiefs TE's contract expired after the 2025 season, and he is scheduled to hit free agency. Kelce, who was taken by K.C. in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, has never played a down for another NFL franchise.
Once under contract, Kelce and Kansas City will look to bounce back in a big way next season, but it won't be easy. Mahomes' recovery from his torn ACL could last into the regular season, leaving the starting QB role to either free agent-to-be Gardner Minshew or a signal-caller to be named later. Eric Bieniemy also returns as offensive coordinator in place of the departed Matt Nagy.
The Chiefs, not too far removed from a three-peat attempt, likely won't even be the favorites to win the division next season. Denver was potentially a fractured ankle and an untimely squall away from a Super Bowl berth, the Chargers will be healthier across the board after a second straight trip to the postseason, and Las Vegas could be led by a Super Bowl-winning head coach and a Heisman Trophy winner at QB.
But for Kelce and Co., there is unfinished business.
Kelce's full embrace of a fruitful football afterlife will have to wait at least another year, but he is still expected to have a monumental offseason. In addition to his continued success as a podcast host with his brother, Jason Kelce, on New Heights, Travis is scheduled to popstar Taylor Swift in June, according to media reports.
A three-time Super Bowl champion, Kelce surely hopes his wedding band isn't the only new ring he'll be wearing in the next 12 months.
