Travis Kelce is expected to return, but Chiefs need another answer for passing attack

If the Kansas City Chiefs think their work is done when they bring back tight end Travis Kelce, they're mistaken. 

Kelce has played his entire career with the Chiefs and is expected to return to Kansas City for one more year. The update comes after a report indicated his camp would speak with other teams in free agency. The TE can officially sign a contract when the new league year begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. 

Kelce's return is a positive for the Chiefs. The TE can still be a key piece in their passing attack, but he can't be the main one.

Why Chiefs must find true No. 1 option in passing game

The Chiefs used Kelce as their No. 1 option in the passing game last season, but it became apparent he can't continue to play that role. The TE led the team in targets (108) but logged 851 receiving yards, his second-lowest mark since his rookie season in 2013.

Drops were also an issue for the four-time first-team All-Pro. Pro Football Focus credited him with seven drops, tied for the second most in his career. 

A thin receiving corps forced Kansas City to lean on Kelce too much. No other Chief surpassed 587 receiving yards in 2025. Clearly, the AFC West team should add another wide receiver this offseason, whether it's through free agency, trade or the draft.

The Chiefs could swing big and try to acquire Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown, but they may not be willing to meet the reported asking price. Philadelphia reportedly wants a first- and second-rounder for the three-time Pro Bowler. 

How about a reunion with free-agent WR Tyreek Hill? He played for the Chiefs from 2016-21, earning three first-team All-Pro nods. At 32, though, the "Cheetah" may begin to run out of gas, especially after suffering a dislocated left knee/ACL tear in September 2025. 

The 2026 draft isn't considered stellar at WR, but there are solid options. Tankathon's latest mock has the Chiefs taking Ohio State Buckeyes WR Carnell Tate (6-foot-2, 192 pounds) with pick No. 9. The wideout logged career highs in receiving yards (875) and touchdown catches (nine) in 2025. 

"Tate displays rare polish for a player his age and has the talent to become a heralded pro within his first three seasons," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote of the 21-year-old in his scouting report.

Regardless, retaining Kelce — who turns 37 on Oct. 5 — shouldn't be the only thing the Chiefs do to address their aerial attack, which ranked 17th in passing yards (214.1 yards per game) in 2025. He remains a star but can no longer serve as the leading man for the Chiefs receiving corps.