As the 2026 NFL offseason edges closer, the looming question over Travis Kelce‘s career continues to dominate conversation in Kansas City and across the league.
The veteran tight end’s future with the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t settled, with contract considerations, age-related production questions, and the team’s strategic direction at the center of what could be one of the most consequential decisions of his legendary career.
Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl champion and perennial Pro Bowl selection, is entering a rare offseason without a contract beyond the current season.
While he has hinted that he’d like to finalize a decision about his playing future well before the beginning of the 2026 league year in March, a timeline designed to give the Chiefs clarity before free agency and the draft, nothing has been formally announced.
Kansas City is estimated to be significantly above the projected salary cap for 2026, with adjustments and restructures, including a major contract rework for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, already underway to provide some breathing room.
That financial reality complicates the team’s ability to offer Kelce a lucrative deal consistent with his Hall of Fame résumé.
NFL insider reflects on Kelce‘s place with the Chiefs
Amid the speculation, reactions inside the organization reveal sharp contrasts.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones forcefully rejected suggestions from a prominent NFL insider that the Chiefs should move on from Kelce, responding bluntly on social media to the notion that the franchise could part ways with its longtime star.
Publicly, Chiefs leadership has also tried to tamp down uncertainty. A few weeks ago, team CEO Clark Hunt addressed swirling rumors about Kelce‘s retirement, offering an endorsement that the tight end can still play at a high level in 2026.
But some respected observers aren’t shy about sharing a different view. Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum has candidly argued that Kansas City might consider moving on from Kelce in favor of younger, faster talent at the position.
“I would move on from Travis Kelce and let me tell you why,” Tannenbaum said on a segment for SportsCenter.
“When you’re in the front office, you have to project what a player is going to do, not what they’ve done. I’ve made that mistake countless times.”
While acknowledging Kelce‘s legendary career, Tannenbaum argued that the tight end’s best years may be behind him.
“Travis Kelce is a first ballot Hall of Famer,” he continued. “But when you watch him and make an honest and sober evaluation of his 2025 performance, clearly, his best days are behind him.
“We talk about Kansas City‘s lack of explosive plays. If I were them, I’d make the right-but difficult-decision and move on. Probably get younger, faster, and more explosive at the tight end position.”
Tannenbaum‘s comments sparked immediate reactions, particularly from Kelce‘s teammates. Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones didn’t mince words, taking to X to bluntly write: “Shut up.”
The numbers, however, tell a slightly different story. According to PFSN‘s NFL TE Impact Metrics, Kelce ranked among the top 15 tight ends in 2025.
He finished fourth in both targets and receiving yards among all tight ends, demonstrating that, while perhaps not the unstoppable force of his prime, he remains a critical component of Kansas City‘s offense.
With several promising tight ends emerging around the league, the decision may come down to balancing legacy and future explosiveness.
For now, the debate over Travis Kelce‘s future in Kansas City is just heating up-and it’s clear the conversation is far from settled.
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