The air in Kansas City feels a little different these days. It’s early 2026, and the sting of a 6-11 season—the worst of the Patrick Mahomes era—is still very fresh. For the first time in over a decade, the Chiefs weren’t playing in January. Instead, they were cleaning out lockers. But the biggest shadow in the room isn't the losing record or Mahomes' late-season knee injury. It’s Travis Kelce.
He’s 36 now.
He just finished his 13th season. People are already talking about him like he’s a ghost, a legend who has already packed his bags for a CBS broadcasting desk or a permanent spot in the Eras Tour VIP tent. But here’s the thing: everyone acting like it’s a done deal might be jumping the gun. Honestly, the evidence that travis kelce could be back for the chiefs in 2025 is actually a lot stronger than the retirement rumors suggest, even if the 2025 season (the one we just finished) didn't go to plan.
The "Mangy Animal" Factor
You can’t talk about Kelce without talking about the way he views the game. After the Week 18 loss to the Raiders—a messy 14-12 defeat where Kelce was catching passes from guys like Chris Oladokun—he didn't sound like a man who was disgusted by the sport.
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He sounded like a man addicted to it.
On a recent episode of New Heights, Travis told his brother Jason that he loves the "wear and tear" of the season. He literally described himself as feeling like a "mangy animal" just trying to survive out there. That’s not the language of someone looking for an exit strategy. It’s the language of a guy who defines his identity by the grit of the NFL.
"I think if my body can heal up and rest up... I would do it in a heartbeat," he said. That's the key. It’s not about whether he can play. He proved he can. Despite the revolving door at quarterback once Mahomes went down, Kelce still hauled in 76 catches for 851 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2025. Those aren't "washed" numbers. Those are "elite tight end" numbers on a bad offense.
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The Contract Reality No One Mentions
Let’s look at the money, because in the NFL, the money usually tells the real story. Back in April 2024, Kelce signed a two-year deal worth $34.25 million. This wasn't just a "thank you" check. It was a structured commitment.
For the upcoming 2026 season, he’s set to count for nearly $20 million against the salary cap. Most of his 2025 salary was already moved into a roster bonus to help the team out. If he walks away now, he’s leaving $17.25 million in cash on the table. That’s a lot of "New Heights" ad revenue, sure, but it’s also a massive chunk of change for a guy who still thinks he’s the best at what he does.
Plus, the Chiefs are at a crossroads. They just missed the playoffs for the first time in forever. Andy Reid has already said he’s coming back. You think Reid wants his final years to be a "rebuild" without his most trusted weapon? No way.
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Why the 2025 Struggles Actually Make Him Want to Stay
- The Mahomes Connection: Patrick Mahomes ended the season on IR with a knee injury. Kelce spent the final weeks of 2025 being a safety net for Gardner Minshew and third-stringers. That’s a miserable way for a Hall of Famer to go out.
- The Record Chase: He just became the fastest tight end to hit 13,000 career yards. He’s chasing Tony Gonzalez and Jerry Rice territory now. Leaving when you're that close to the "Greatest Ever" crown is hard for a competitor like Kelce.
- The "Fluke" Season: Travis explicitly said he thinks the 2025 Chiefs were actually better than the 2024 championship team, calling the losses "self-inflicted." He doesn't think the window is closed.
The CBS and Taylor Swift of It All
The counter-argument is usually: "But what about TV?" CBS has a massive opening on The NFL Today now that Matt Ryan has moved on. Kelce is a natural. He’s charismatic, he’s famous, and his fiancée is currently living in New York, where the CBS studios are based. It makes perfect sense on paper.
But Kelce has always been a "football first" guy. He’s been doing the podcast and the acting gigs during the offseason specifically so he doesn't have to quit football to have a career later.
If he can still run a 10-yard out and shake a linebacker, he’s going to do it.
What Happens Next
Right now, the ball is entirely in Kelce's court. He told the media he’ll make a decision by March 2026, before free agency kicks off. The Chiefs need to know so they can figure out if they're drafting a tight end or looking for a veteran replacement.
If you're looking for a sign, watch his health. If the reports come out in February that his knees and ankles are feeling good, expect him to suit up. The Chiefs aren't ready to let him go, and honestly, the NFL isn't either.
Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans
- Monitor the March Roster Bonus: A $11.5 million roster bonus is due on March 14, 2026. If the Chiefs pay that, he's staying. If they cut or trade him before that, it's over.
- Watch "New Heights": It’s where he’s most honest. If he starts talking more about "life transitions" than "getting back to work," pay attention.
- Check the Mock Drafts: If Kansas City starts heavily scouting first-round tight ends like Colston Loveland clones, they might know something we don't.