NFL Insider Drops Major Update on Travis Kelce’s Future After Patrick Mahomes Injury

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

As the 2026 NFL offseason takes shape, one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t roster building; it’s the future of Travis Kelce, the Hall-caliber tight end who has been at the center of the franchise’s dynasty for over a decade. With quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL and LCL and the Chiefs coming off a rare 6-11 season, speculation about Kelce’s next move has dominated league conversations, and a major NFL insider has just offered fresh clarity.

Chiefs Face Offseason Reality and Travis Kelce‘s Decision

At 36 years old and coming off a season where he posted 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns, Kelce remains one of the most productive tight ends in the league despite a downturn for Kansas City overall. Yet with his contract expiring in March 2026 and retirement rumors swirling, uncertainty has mounted around whether he’ll return for a potential 14th NFL season.

NFL Insider: Communication Between Travis Kelce and Chiefs Is ‘Positive’

NFL insiders reporting on Kelce’s future have delivered a notable update that leans toward continuity rather than retirement.

As per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Travis Kelce could be retained by the Chiefs. he said, “My understanding is that they’ve already been in contract talks.”

And he continued, “It seems like this is trending toward Travis coming back and playing for Kansas City, but nothing is done until it’s done. Obviously, Travis has a lot going on in his life outside of football and he has a lot of decisions to make. He may not have the howitzer anymore in terms of the top end speed that he did back in the day, but he’s still a functional NFL tight end.”

According to Bolavip and Yahoo Sports, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has confirmed that communication with Travis Kelce is ongoing and constructive, even as he weighs all factors before making a final decision.

Reid said,

“No, there is communication though,” Reid said and added, “That’s the main thing. I’ve said this before: As long as there’s communication, I’m good. That means people want to move forward. I think that’s where Trav is. I’m not trying to put words in his mouth at all and I try to give him some space here.”

Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt has echoed this perspective, noting the franchise’s desire to retain Kelce while respecting his decision-making process. Hunt has publicly stated that Kelce’s leadership and high level of play still make him a valuable part of the team’s identity.

Conclusion

While no official announcement has been made and Travis Kelce continues to weigh his options, the latest updates from NFL insiders suggest his decision is far from a foregone conclusion, and current communication with the Chiefs indicates a strong possibility that he will suit up again in 2026.