Travis Kelce will return to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2026 NFL season, ending weeks of speculation about whether the veteran tight end would retire after a difficult campaign for the franchise.

Kelce, 36, has agreed to a one-year contract worth $12m, potentially rising to $15m with incentives. His return will mark a 14th season in the league, all with Kansas City. The decision follows a period of reflection after the Chiefs missed the playoffs in 2025, but Kelce admits the disappointing finish played a role in his determination to continue.

“I f*cking hated the way that sh*t ended last year,” Kelce said on the New Heights podcast he co-hosts with brother Jason. “I want to make it right… and I wanna get another chance at another f*cking Super Bowl.

“You’ve got to let the emotions clear and you’ve got to have a clear head. I’ve made decisions based off of emotions and they haven’t always played out the right way. So I think taking a step back, letting the emotions settle down, the frustrations from the season…

“Of course, I want to come back. Of course, I don’t want to end my career not making the playoffs and not having one of the best years. It still felt like I was hungry enough to get back at it.”

Kelce also emphasised that his love for the game remains strong despite his age and the physical toll of 13 seasons in the league. The veteran tight end’s return provides a significant boost to a Chiefs offence expected to rebound in 2026 following injuries and inconsistency last season. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is currently recovering from an ACL injury, but is widely expected to be ready for the new campaign.