Almost two months after a disappointing Kansas City Chiefs season ended, the team still doesn’t know the future of tight end Travis Kelce.
Kelce, who will turn 37 years old in October, could decide to retire. Though, coming off another productive season, returning for a 14th NFL season is an option as well.
“We’ve kind of prepared for either scenario,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said at the NFL scouting combine on Tuesday, via Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star.
Veach said the team, notably coach Andy Reid, has had “great dialogue” with Kelce’s representatives. The team plans to have more discussions with them at the combine.
Veach made it clear that the team wants Kelce back.
“Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back,” Veach said. “We’ll let that process play out.”
There would presumably be a discussion about Kelce’s cap number for 2026, which is $19.8 million and includes a $12.5 million roster bonus. But first the Chiefs need to know if he’ll return at all.
The Chiefs have plenty of questions this offseason. Patrick Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL. Veach talked about being more explosive in the running game as a way to take pressure off Mahomes this season. There’s also the question of Kelce and whether he returns after putting up 851 yards and five touchdowns last season. Kelce might not be the dominant force he was in his prime but he’s still productive, even at an age in which most tight ends have retired or completely fallen off.
The Chiefs will wait for an answer. With the league year set to start March 11, they can’t wait too much longer.