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Travis Kelce will reportedly return to the Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year deal, ending uncertainty about his playing future for at least one more season.
Kelce’s deal is for $12 million, which could expand to $15 million, ESPN reported Monday as free agency opened in the league. The agreement cannot be made official until Wednesday.
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts after making a catch for a first down during the first half against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 25, 2025. (Jay Biggerstaff/Image Images)
There was a lot of speculation about what Kelce could do in free agency. At least one report suggested his representatives could consider offers from other teams and possibly close his chapter with the Chiefs and play for another team. But when free agency began, it became clear that Kelce was going to choose loyalty over money.
“It’s been a rollercoaster for Travis Kelce. He’s only played for the Kansas City Chiefs. I think a lot of people certainly assumed that Travis Kelce would just come back to the Kansas City Chiefs, sign whatever deal was available and move on,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Monday. “He was expected to get significant interest. Probably a deal that would have put him at the top of the tight end market. Based on the way he played last year, a Pro Bowler playing near the top of his game, that would make sense.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) greets fans after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025. (Denny Medley/Image Images)
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“That’s not really what Travis Kelce is about. It really isn’t. He’s going to turn down more money to stay in Kansas City, to be loyal, to be with Patrick Mahomes and continue to have another shot at the Super Bowl. This is something that the Chiefs were adamant about. They wanted this to happen. It was really just a question of, would he hit free agency? In the end, Travis Kelce is probably not expected to stay in Kansas City.”
Kelce is considered one of the best tight ends of all time.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) after the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 25, 2025. (Denny Medley/Image Images)
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The 11-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro has 1,080 receptions for 13,002 yards and 82 touchdowns. He helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowl titles in his time and hopes to get one more before his career comes to an end.
