If you’ve turned on a TV or glanced at a grocery store checkout aisle in the last few years, you know exactly who he is. But as the 2026 NFL offseason kicks into high gear, the question of what team does travis kelce play for has become a lot more complicated than it used to be.
For over a decade, the answer was easy. It was the Kansas City Chiefs. It was Arrowhead Stadium. It was red and gold.
Honestly, it’s weird to even think about him wearing another jersey. But here we are in January 2026, and for the first time in forever, the future is kind of a blurry mess. The Chiefs just wrapped up a 2025 season that didn't go according to plan. No playoffs. No deep January run. Just a lot of questions.
The Current Reality in Kansas City
Technically, as of right now, Travis Kelce is a free agent. His contract with the Kansas City Chiefs officially expired at the end of the 2025 season.
He’s 36. He’ll be 37 by the time the next season really gets going.
After the Chiefs' final game on January 4, 2026, Kelce was visibly emotional. You could see it in his face when he walked off the field. People started whispering immediately—was that the last time we'd see #87 in a Chiefs uniform? On a recent episode of New Heights, he basically told his brother Jason that he’s "officially jobless" for the moment, though he said it with that trademark grin.
🔗 Read more: The Philadelphia Phillies Boston Red Sox Rivalry: Why This Interleague Matchup Always Feels Personal
He’s taking his time. He’s being a "regular human" for a few weeks before deciding if his body can handle another 20-week grind.
Why Everyone Is Worried About 2026
The 2025 season was a reality check for the Chiefs Kingdom. For the first time in ten years, they didn't win the AFC West. That’s a long time to be on top.
Adding to the stress? Patrick Mahomes dealt with a significant injury late in the year. If you're Travis Kelce, and your best friend and legendary quarterback might not be 100% for the start of 2026, do you really want to come back for a "rebuild" year?
- The Stats: Even in a "down" year, Kelce put up 839 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2025.
- The Physical Toll: He’s admitted his body feels like a "mangy animal" trying to survive by the end of the season.
- The Contract: If he comes back to the Chiefs, it'll likely have to be a team-friendly, one-year deal. Kansas City is tight on cap space.
Some people, like Rob Gronkowski, have even suggested that if Kelce wants one more ring, he might look elsewhere. Gronk pointed to his own move to Tampa Bay as a blueprint. It sounds crazy, right? Kelce in a different uniform? But in the NFL, "never" is a dangerous word.
The Taylor Swift Factor and the "Exit Plan"
We have to talk about the life outside the stadium. Kelce isn't just a football player anymore; he’s a global celebrity.
💡 You might also like: The Eagles and Chiefs Score That Changed Everything for Philadelphia and Kansas City
Between his engagement to Taylor Swift and his burgeoning media career, he has plenty of reasons to walk away. Reports have surfaced that he’s been talking to basically every major streaming service—Netflix, Amazon, you name it—about potential broadcasting gigs. He’s already proven he can handle the spotlight on Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? and his podcast.
Former teammates like Jamaal Charles are already telling him to hang it up. Charles recently said Kelce has "nothing to prove no more." And he’s right. Three Super Bowl rings, more postseason catches than anyone not named Jerry Rice, and a guaranteed spot in Canton.
What Happens Next?
So, what team does travis kelce play for going forward?
There are basically three paths on the table right now.
First, he signs a one-year "last dance" deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. This is what most fans are praying for. He gets to finish where he started. Second, he pulls a "Brady" or a "Gronk" and signs with a contender that has a vacuum at tight end and a clear shot at a Super Bowl. Third—and this is the one that feels more real every day—he retires and becomes the biggest name in sports broadcasting since Tom Brady signed with FOX.
📖 Related: The Detroit Lions Game Recap That Proves This Team Is Different
The Chiefs aren't sitting around waiting, though. They’ve already started signing younger tight ends to reserve contracts just in case. They know the era of Mahomes-to-Kelce is closer to the end than the beginning.
If you’re looking for a definitive answer today: He is currently an unrestricted free agent who most recently played for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Things to Watch This Offseason
- The Medical Reports: Keep an eye on how Mahomes’ recovery is progressing. Kelce’s decision is likely tied to his QB.
- Broadcasting Announcements: If a major network announces a massive deal with Kelce, that’s your answer.
- The "New Heights" Podcast: This is where the real news usually breaks first.
The NFL is a business, but Kelce has always been about the heart. If he feels he can still compete at an elite level, he’ll probably find a way back to Kansas City. But if the "wear and tear" he talks about is too much, 2026 might be the year we finally see him trade the cleats for a microphone full-time.
Keep an eye on the official NFL transaction wire toward the end of February. That's usually when these legendary veterans make their final calls before the new league year starts in March. For now, the Chiefs' roster looks a little emptier without #87 officially on it.
To stay ahead of the news, set alerts for Kansas City Chiefs roster moves and follow the latest episodes of the New Heights podcast, as Kelce typically uses that platform to address rumors directly before they hit the mainstream cycle.