The big question in the offseason is whether or not Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs will retire ahead of the 2026-27 season. That retirement decision is on Kelce’s mind, but it’s also on the minds of heavyweights inside the Chiefs’ camp.
Even though Kelce’s retirement decision will be up to him, how the Kansas City Chiefs feel about him also means something.
Kelce has been blunt about his retirement decision before. “I think I’m still searching for those answers,” Kelce said when asked about retirement before the Kansas City Chiefs’ Christmas game in a pre-recorded interview that aired on Amazon’s Prime Video. “Obviously, the way this one ended with a sour taste in my mouth.”
The award-winning tight end added, “I feel motivated but I’ve got to make the right decision for me. I’ve got to hope that if I do wanna come back that the Chiefs are willing to bring me back. It’s a two-way street on that.”
Now, a development has emerged about Kelce and how open the Kansas City Chiefs are to having him back.
Kansas City Chiefs Offer Clue Into Travis Kelce Retirement Decision
On Tuesday, January 27, Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt gave a glowing endorsement to Kelce to have him back in the 2026-27 season. That says a lot.
According to Jeremy Bergman of Around the NFL, he said on “Good Morning Football” that the chiefs “certainly hope” Travis Kelce will return in 2026. “There’s no doubt in my mind that he can still play,” he said on the show.
So, there you have it. If Kelce wants to come back, he’ll be cheered on by Clark and the Kansas City Chiefs franchise.
More on Travis Kelce and His Retirement Decision
Not only that, but on Wednesday, January 28, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said that he talked to both quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Kelce and that they both sounded ready to go.
According to a report from Sports Radio 810 WHB, he said, “I’ve had small, minimum conversation with both…more than anything, it’s just the excitement of reuniting. I’m looking forward to getting back in the grind and chopping wood with them.”
Following the Kansas City Chiefs’ 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in their final game of the season, Kelce was asked the inevitable retirement questions. Speaking to reporters, he said, “Who knows? It either hits me quick or I’ve got to take some time. Last year, it was a little bit easier. I think I knew right away, I wanted to give this [year] a shot. We’ll see.”
This past season, for 2025-26, Kelce finished with 76 receptions for 851 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 11.2 yards per catch in 16 regular season Chiefs games, according to ESPN research.
In other Kelce news, on Monday, January 19, the Chiefs shared the news that Kelce was named to the 2025 PFWA All-AFC Team. The honor comes from accredited writers covering all 32 NFL teams, who voted on the PFWA’s All-NFL, All-AFC Teams after the end of the 2025-26 NFL regular season, so it’s a big deal.
Kelce received his selection on PFWA’s 2025 All-AFC team. He joins center Creed Humphrey on this year’s All-AFC team. This is the seventh time Kelce has been named to the team in his career.
