Travis

Kelce

The upshot here is that his three-year contract is effectively a one-year deal that will give both sides a chance to decide about 2027 when 2027 comes, but NFL media did a collective spit take when Ian Rapoport reported that Kelce was signing a three-year, $54.7 million contract. To spell it out a little more clearly: The Rotoworld blurb team has as much of a chance of getting Kelce’s $40 million roster bonus in 2028 as he does.

It was reported weeks ago that Kelce was signing a one-year, $12 million contract with the Chiefs. Now, the 36-year-old vet, who was reportedly mulling retirement, is back on a three-year deal that will pay out $12 million plus $3 million in incentives in his first year. It’s safe to say this deal came out of nowhere, but it all but guarantees that Kelce will be a Chief for life as long as he desires to keep playing. Kelce caught 76 passes for 851 yards and five touchdowns last season and continues to be one of the most productive tight ends in the league despite his age.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the deal has a max value of $15 million. 36-year-old Kelce has been declining for several years now, but he was still fourth in tight end yardage (851) last season. He was a more distant 21st in TE yards per route run at 1.47. Kelce appeared particularly dead-legged at the end of the Chiefs’ trying season. He is best utilized as a third down/red zone package player at this point, something coach Andy Reid undoubtedly already knows. Kelce will keep hanging around the TE1 ranks in fantasy, but probably more in the TE8-12 range than TE5-8.

This only came into question last night based on Kelce talking to numerous teams per the reporting of Dianna Russini. But there was never really a doubt that Kelce would leave being a lifelong Chief behind while entering his age-37 season — there’s not an objectively better ring-chasing slot even if he’d wanted to leave. We’re sure that Kelce’s latest contract will be filed with the Chiefs in the near future.

Kelce is set to be a free agent when the new league year begins, and while it sounds like he will be returning for a 14th season, he will likely shop his services to other teams before deciding whether to re-up with the Chiefs. While it would still be surprising to see Kelce play for another team in what could be his final season, there will likely be plenty of teams lining up to speak with the future Hall of Famer. Kelce caught 76 passes for 851 yards and five touchdowns last season on 108 targets. While he’s taken a step back in recent years, his production relative to his position continues to come at a high level. Rumors of potential suitors are sure to emerge once the league’s legal tampering period opens on Monday, which could make for an interesting start to free agency.

Russini says this is “based on conversations with several teams.” She also adds that the Chiefs “remain very much in the mix to re-sign” Kelce, who will be a free agent when the new league year begins this week. Kelce, 36, has been rumored to be considering a return next season over retirement, and this is yet another report that suggests he’ll likely play in 2026. While he will be free to speak with other teams, it would be surprising to see him play for anyone other than the Chiefs if he does return for another season.

Kelce has reportedly been in touch with Andy Reid and the Chiefs in recent weeks after the Chiefs inexplicably missed the postseason. Kelce, 36, has mulled retirement in each of the past three offseasons and seems more serious about the prospect of hanging it up following the disappointment of 2025. “We are prepared for either scenario,” Veach said Tuesday. Kelce caught 76 passes for 851 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. Only five tight ends had more receptions than Kelce and a mere three tight ends had more receiving yards. Kelce ranked 22nd in tight end yards per route run and 14th in yards after the catch per reception.

Reid added that he believes communication is “the main thing” and that he thinks Kelce wants “to move forward.” Reid declined to say whether Kelce gave him a definite answer on whether he wants to return to the Chiefs in 2026, but it sounds like things are trending in that direction. Kelce, 36, has mulled retirement over the last few offseasons, but the prevailing belief of those close to him is that he will return for at least one more season. Kelce caught 76 passes for 851 yards and five touchdowns last season while averaging 11.2 YPR, his highest yards per reception total since 2022.

He’d be entering his age-37 season, but most of the smoke since the end of the season has pointed in this direction. The Chiefs are currently significantly over the cap and would probably need to shuffle some salaries around to get Kelce — an impending free agent — under contract. Kelce himself has reportedly been in touch with the Chiefs about a return, and Dianna Russini reported yesterday that many close to Kelce believe he will return. Rapoport says we should expect clarity “sooner, rather than later” on Kelce’s 2026 status.

Kelce appeared at multiple events in San Francisco during Super Bowl week. While the future Mr. Taylor Swift has discussed retirement, Russini claims a 14th season could be in the works for the 36-year-old tight end with many close to him believing he’ll return. Kelce would have to work out a new contract with the Chiefs as he’s currently an unrestricted free agent. While he’s set to waltz into the Hall of Fame whenever he calls it quits, it’s understandable that he wouldn’t want to end his career with Patrick Mahomes getting hurt and the Chiefs missing the playoffs in his final season.