Travis Kelce Update Announced Ahead of 14th NFL Season

Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Travis Kelce Update Announced Ahead of 14th NFL Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Chesanek | Last updated May 19, 2026 10:05 PM ET

Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs is in the middle of the offseason, preparing for his 14th year in the NFL. Among active tight ends, the 11-time Pro Bowler is in a league of his own, ranking first in career receiving yards (13,002), games played (192) and receptions (1,080).

The 36-year-old is coming off a strong 2026 season in which he was fourth among tight ends in receiving yards (851) and tied for sixth in receptions (76). Speculation ran rampant about whether Kelce would retire after the disappointing Chiefs' 2025 season, when, in January, the three-time Super Bowl champion revealed he needed a month to “figure out” what he was going to do next with his future in football.

Indianapolis Colts safety Cam Bynum (0) tackles Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) in the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Kelce ultimately returned to Kansas City for 2026, and his mother, Donna Kelce, has given insight into why the decision might have been so difficult for him. On Tuesday, Donna spoke with People magazine about the seven-time All-Pro. Donna described the process of how the Cleveland Heights High School graduate ramps up for the NFL season as “brutal,” and this is before he even arrives at training camp. She revealed that Travis spends “months” getting ready for training camp.

“He always goes into his own routine with training, and it’s brutal,” Donna told People magazine. “Then he goes to actual training camp. He has to get ready before he goes to training camp. It’s a long process. It’s months to get ready. That’s what he’s doing right now.”

Donna Kelce Breaks Down Son Travis' 'Brutal' Pre-Season Training Ahead of His NFL Return (Exclusive) https://t.co/CkrbwShFWx
— People (@people) May 19, 2026

Kansas City will open the season at Arrowhead Stadium against the division-rival Denver Broncos on “Monday Night Football” on Sept. 14 at 8:15 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: