Feb. 7, 2026, 4:21 p.m. ET
The Kansas City Chiefs, as well as the rest of the NFL, are anxiously awaiting an answer on whether or not legendary NFL tight end Travis Kelce plans to retire this offseason.
There was rampant speculation for most of the season about Kelce’s future, and the rumors only intensified as the veteran saw his 13th NFL season come to a close with the Chiefs missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.
So far, Kelce has been pretty quiet during the first month of the offseason regarding his plans, and reports indicate he has yet to make a decision on what to do. But sources close to the player have finally shed some light on how things might play out – and it’s news that will be music to his fans’ ears.
“Kelce was seen bouncing around San Francisco parties and events, even as the soon-to-be-married man’s next move remains uncertain,” NFL insider Dianna Russini wrote on Saturday. “While retirement has been discussed, many close to him believe he could return for at least one more season. A final decision has yet to be made, but a 14th season is looking more real than ever.”
Kelce has had an incredible career so far, becoming an 11-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All-Pro while helping lead his franchise to three Super Bowl wins. He holds 10 NFL records, including the most single-season receiving yards by a tight end and career receiving yards per game by a tight end.
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But his production has dwindled in recent seasons – after recording seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2016-2022 (also an NFL record), Kelce has fallen short of that mark for the past three seasons. With his contract up and a recent engagement to global pop superstar Taylor Swift, retirement would be an easy choice.
But with a return looking more likely to those close to the player, it appears his desire to avenge the disappointing ending to the Chiefs’ season this past year may win out.