Skip to main content
Join Now

Report: Travis Kelce to sign one-year, $12 million contract with Chiefs

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones6 hours agobrianjones_93

Travis Kelce is returning to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2026 season. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chiefs are giving Kelce a one-year, $12 million contract, with a maximum value of $15 million.

Travis Kelce decided to return to the Chiefs ahead of the official start of the NFL’s free agency period. It was reported earlier that Kelce was planning to play his 14th NFL season, but it was not clear whether he would return to Kansas City or play for another team.

Had Kelce not agreed to a deal, he would have become an unrestricted free agent. Last month, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach spoke to reporters about Kelce potentially playing for the team in 2026, which could be the last in his career.

“Travis is the best,” Veach said at the NFL combine. “He’s an icon, and hopefully he comes back. We’ll just kind of let that process play out. It’s not your typical 27-year-old [and] first time at free agency. Travis has done everything and has accomplished everything.

Travis Kelce looking to finish his NFL career strong

“He’s about to get married. He’s got a lot going on, so I don’t think there’s an element of us not trying to get something done — you need to have some sort of deadline [or] timeline — but at the same time, he’s Travis Kelce.”

Kelce likely wanted to return to the Chiefs because of how last season ended. For the first time since the 2014 season, the Chiefs missed the playoffs after finishing the year with a 6-11 record. From 2018 to 2024, Kansas City has played in five Super Bowls and won three of them.

While the Chiefs had a rough 2025 season, the same can’t be said for Kelce, who led the team in receptions (76), receiving yards (851), and receiving touchdowns (5). His production led to the NFL naming him to the Pro Bowl for the 11th time in his career.

The Chiefs selected Kelce in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Along with being an 11-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion, the former Cincinnati tight end has been named to the All-Pro Team seven times and is a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.