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Chiefs Confirm Travis Kelce Announcement After 13 NFL Seasons

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Mar 23, 2026 2:49 PM ET

Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs did not have the 2025 NFL season they were hoping for, ending on a six-game losing streak and finishing the year with a 6-11 record. And for just the second time in Kelce's career, and the first time since the 2014 season, the Chiefs did not make the playoffs, marking the end of an impressive run.

With the 2025 season over, Kelce has also finished his 13th year in the NFL. And the former Cincinnati Bearcats tight end has become one of the best players in league history, totaling 1,080 catches for 13,002 yards and 80 touchdowns. Not to forget his three Super Bowl wins in five appearances alongside head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) looks on after a game.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

During the offseason, Kelce took time to consider whether to return for a 14th NFL season or retire. Ultimately, the Chiefs star chose to return for the 2026 season, with initial reports indicating he signed a one-year, $12 million deal with Kansas City that can increase to $15 million with incentives.

But on Monday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport revealed that Kelce is expected to return to the Chiefs on a three-year deal worth $54.735 million, which can increase to $57.735 million with incentives. This structure still provides Kelce with a $12 million salary in 2026 while managing the Chiefs' future salary cap through low cap hits (around $4.9 million in 2026) and built-in dummy/void years in 2027 and 2028 to spread any potential dead money.

"Chiefs Pro Bowl TE Travis Kelce has signed his contract, officially locking him in for 2026," Rapoport wrote on X. "It’s a 3-year, $54.735M deal that can be worth up to $57.735M ($18.245M average) done by agent Mike Simon ( @mikevmgsports ) of @milkhoneysport . Year 1 is $12M plus 3M in incentives."

And shortly after Rapoport's announcement, the Chiefs confirmed Kelce's signing with their own post, which included a picture of the tight end putting pen to paper.

"Officially official ✍️ @tkelce is back for his 14th year!" the Chiefs wrote on X.