Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs will reportedly run it back in the 2026 NFL season. Following a disappointing year in 2025, the star tight end is staying put in Kansas City, as the Chiefs are poised to be a contender after losing the division for the first time in 9 years.
Kelce has always made it clear the Chiefs enjoyed a preferential treatment as he explored his options in free agency. Thus, it’s no wonder he has granted Kansas City a discount as he put pen to paper on a new contract for the upcoming NFL season.
“Chiefs are giving free-agent TE Travis Kelce a one-year, $12 million deal that has a max value of $15 million,” Adam Schefter reported on his X account.The contract details may further confirm that Kelce has turned down the NY Giants and other suitors to stay with the Chiefs.
In addition to Kelce’s return for a reasonable price, the Chiefs made waves around the NFL with the signing of Kenneth Walker, whom Patrick Mahomes welcomed with a two-word message. Needless to say, Kansas City means business in 2026, and it is now wasting no time to make it known.
Kelce’s stats in 2025
By no means did Kelce and the Chiefs put on strong numbers in the 2025 NFL season. Kelce—who has a seat reserved in the Hall of Fame whenever he decides to call it a career—registered 76 receptions for 851 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns last campaign. None of his marks were career lows, but they were closer to rock bottom than to the pinnacle by Kelce’s standards.
Excuses can be found for both the tight end and the team as a whole, but for an organization that has made competing for Super Bowls year in and year out its clear north star, everybody regressed last year. That’s why the Chiefs are leaving no stone unturned as they gear up for 2026.