Chiefs GM gives Travis Kelce update as questions linger about tight end’s future

Perhaps an ominous update on Travis Kelce as he enters free agency.

The Chiefs’ tight end has been mostly non-committal about whether he will play football in 2026 or opt to retire, and the latest comments from general manager Brett Veach may give some pause about whether Kelce will be back.

“Travis is the best,” Veach said. “He’s an icon … We’ll just let that process play out.”

General manager Brett Veach of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Getty Images

It’s a slight change from previous comments from ownership, which was more eager to pitch Kelce on running it back.

“He has sort of a busy offseason coming up with his engagement and marriage, so we want to be respectful and give him the time he needs to make a decision. But we certainly hope that he’ll be back,” owner Clark Hunt said in January.

Buzz had previously been growing that Kelce is expecting to return to football for the 2026 season, though he’s not under contract with the Chiefs.

Kelce has spent his entire career with the Chiefs and has won three Super Bowls as the team’s No. 1 target, as Patrick Mahomes went from a backup quarterback behind Alex Smith to a superstar.

The 36-year-old tight end notched seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2016-22 and will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer whenever he does choose to retire.

Kelce put up 851 yards and five touchdowns last season, among the top 10 numbers at the tight end position.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has an uncertain future. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Those numbers will command a hefty salary given his star status related to his relationship with fiancée Taylor Swift.

That production, though, may take a hit in 2026, should he return.

Mahomes tore his ACL in December last year and could be set to miss the beginning of the 2026 season, given the injury.

The Chiefs are also in a tricky salary-cap spot, as they’re still $10 million over the cap despite Mahomes taking a significant chunk off his cap figure this year to help facilitate moves.

Former Kansas City star Tyreek Hill is one player rumored to be on the Chiefs’ radar after he was released by the Dolphins.