It’s the question that basically set the sports world on fire this morning. People are seeing the headlines and losing their minds: was Travis Kelce cut from the Chiefs?
Honestly, it's one of those things that sounds like a fever dream until you look at the cold, hard reality of the 2026 NFL offseason. The Kansas City Chiefs just finished a 6-11 season. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Patrick Mahomes is sidelined with a torn ACL. And now, the "Big Yeti" is standing at a crossroads that feels less like a choice and more like an inevitability.
To be totally clear—as of right now, the Chiefs haven't officially "cut" him in the way you’d cut a backup linebacker to save a few bucks. But his contract is up. The 2025 season was the final year of his deal. Technically, he isn't on the roster for 2026.
So, yeah. He's gone. For now.
Why the Chiefs Legend is "Off" the Roster
The business side of the NFL is kind of brutal. Fans see the three Super Bowl rings and the highlight-reel catches, but the front office sees a 36-year-old tight end with a $19.8 million cap hit that just expired.
KC is currently staring down a massive rebuild. They are over the cap. They need to figure out how to navigate 2026 without Mahomes for a significant chunk of time. In that environment, a legendary but expensive veteran doesn't always fit the math.
✨ Don't miss: The Division 2 National Championship Game: How Ferris State Just Redrew the Record Books
Here is the thing: Kelce’s body took a beating last year. He still put up 851 yards and five touchdowns, which is wild for a guy his age, but he’s "lost a step." You saw it in December. The drops were there. The "fast-twitch" stuff Eli Manning talked about? It’s fading.
The Retirement vs. Free Agency Debate
Is he actually done? Rob Gronkowski thinks Travis might pull a "Gronk" and go find a contender. On Fox NFL Sunday, Gronk basically said the Chiefs are in a rebuild and Travis might want one last ride with a team that has a real shot at a ring.
"I think he's going to test the market out there... I don't really see that happening with the Kansas City Chiefs. It's gonna be a rebuild year, kind of." — Rob Gronkowski
But honestly, would he ever wear another jersey? It’s hard to imagine. He’s been in KC for 13 seasons. He’s the heart of that city. If he doesn't sign back with the Chiefs on a tiny, team-friendly "veteran minimum" deal, most insiders expect him to just walk away.
The Mahomes Factor
You can't talk about Kelce without talking about Mahomes.
🔗 Read more: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
When Mahomes went down with that ACL tear in late 2025, the energy in Kansas City shifted. It felt like the end of an era. Kelce even admitted on New Heights that the end of the season felt "embarrassing." Without his partner in crime under center, the "grind" of training camp probably looks a lot less appealing.
If Mahomes isn't there to throw him those no-look passes, does Travis really want to spend his August in the Missouri heat catching balls from a backup?
Probably not.
What He's Doing Right Now
If you're looking for signs that he's leaning toward retirement, look at his "off-field" life. It's massive.
- The Podcast: He and Jason signed that $100 million deal with Wondery. That’s "never work again" money.
- The Fiancée: He’s engaged to Taylor Swift. They’ve been spotted all over Los Angeles this month. He’s getting fresh fades at high-end barbershops and eating at Beverly Hills spots like Funke.
- The Business: He’s got investments in F1 teams, hot sauce, and fitness startups.
He's already built the life most players wait until they're 50 to have. He’s 36 and healthy enough to enjoy it.
💡 You might also like: South Carolina women's basketball schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
What Happens Next for Fans?
The Chiefs have already started moving on. They recently signed a new tight end to the 2026 roster just to make sure they aren't caught with their pants down if Travis makes the retirement official.
If you are a fan, here is the realistic timeline. We usually get an answer by mid-March. Why? Because that’s when the new league year starts and free agency kicks off. The Chiefs need to know if they have that cap space to play with.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason:
- Stop checking the "cut" wires: He wasn't fired; he's a free agent because his contract ended.
- Watch the Cap: If the Chiefs start signing big-name free agents in March, it likely means they've moved on from Kelce’s salary.
- Monitor "New Heights": Travis usually drops his biggest hints on the pod. Listen for how he talks about his "body healing." That’s the code for whether he’s coming back.
- Expect a "One-Day Contract": Even if he "tests the market" and realizes the spark is gone, he will almost certainly sign a one-day deal to retire as a Chief.
The era of the Kelce-Mahomes dominance might be over, but the legacy isn't going anywhere. Whether he’s in a jersey or a broadcasting booth next September, he’s already won the game.