In the days following Super Bowl LX, the Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelce were due for an important postseason meeting. On the table was one of the single most important subjects for the Chiefs this offseason: Kelce’s decision to continue playing or not.
One week later, there’s been nary a word on either side. No official timetable was given for the meeting, with NFL reporter Ian Rapoport only saying that the Chiefs and Kelce would “reconvene after the Super Bowl” to finalize matters one way or the other, which means it’s entirely possible that nothing has been finalized yet.
For the Chiefs, they’ve made their stance very clear that they want Kelce back in the building in 2026. Fellow players like Chris Jones have already said they believe he’s coming back. Team owner Clark Hunt has stated his preference for a return as well. That leaves the ball in Kelce’s court, and he’s earned the right to take as much time as he needs to decide.
The post-Super Bowl meeting between the Chiefs and Kelce holds the keys for the rest of the offseason.
That said, while Kelce doesn’t need to apologize for wanting some time and space to fully think through the parameters of his decision, it does come with a consequence if the timeline extends much further.
The NFL’s window for the franchise tag opens this week, and some pivotal decisions by other teams will play into the Chiefs’ offseason plans. The annual NFL Combine in Indianapolis comes after that, which gives every team an important chance to connect with agents about extensions and fellow general managers about trades. Free agency is just around the corner as well, and the Chiefs will certainly know something by then.
Whether or not Kelce will play in 2026 is a major part of the roster picture, and it’s not just about his influence or star power. If Kelce can continue to put up steady production even into his late thirties, he remains a vital offensive component and a trusted target for Patrick Mahomes. His presence would also keep the Chiefs from having to panic a bit about finding a short-term replacement to fill his shoes.
The financial part is also important for the Chiefs. Kelce’s cap hit a year ago was just shy of $20 million. While a new contract for ’26 likely wouldn’t reach that level, it feels safe to say Kelce would still rank as a top-10 cap hit for the Chiefs next year. The Chiefs are happy to pay it, to be certain. It’s just all part of the conversation about how things go one way or the other.
If Kelce walks away, securing a reliable tight end becomes very important, since Noah Gray’s production took a hit last season. It’s also possible he’s released this offseason to create some financial wiggle room, but that leaves the Chiefs even thinner at the position. Jared Wiley has yet to make his presence felt after two seasons, which makes his roster spot feel tenuous going into his third year.
News should be expected soon, just to allow K.C. to fully prepare for a busy offseason after such a turbulent year that exposed numerous roster needs. What Kelce decides to do, one way or the other, will clarify the task at hand.