Amidst increasing chatter about Travis Kelce’s retirement, the Kansas City Chiefs are hoping to see their tight end return in the 2026 season. And a legendary former player believes they might.

Tony Gonzalez recently sat down for an interview with Jason Anderson, host of “The Zone.” There, he was asked if the 11-time Pro Bowler still has the potential to play for another season.

To which Gonzalez replied: “Yeah, of course... I think he's got another year in him. We had our Christmas game out there in Kansas City; I had a chance to sit down with (Kelce) one-on-one for the camera, for the show, and I really came away from that going, 'I don't think he really knows, he really doesn't know what he wants to do. He's going to have to figure that out,” he revealed.

At 36, Kelce has slowed down in recent years, unlike the crazy run he had between 2016 and 2022. In 2025, he carried out 76 receptions for 851 yards and scored five touchdowns. This season was his career’s second-worst out of the 13 years he has played in the league. 

Even then, Kelce had the most receiving yards in a team that had the likes of Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice. The team needs the tight end's expertise, especially after coming off a season that's seen the Chiefs miss the playoffs for the first time in years.

That's why Gonzalez had a suggestion. “My advice to him, whether he was sitting here or right now, is you come back because you need to, in his situation, not because you want to. I don't think that is a good enough reason.”

And It Looks Like Travis Kelce is Doing Exactly What Gonzalez Recommended

According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, "The perennial Pro Bowler, who had a resurgent 2025 to reassert his place among the game's best despite being 36 years old, has not made a firm decision on his future."

He added, "However, he has been in touch with his team about a potential return and Kansas City wants him back, sources say… The plan is to reconvene after the Super Bowl to finalize a plan that works for both parties."

His return will most likely have a lower cap hit, mainly because the Chiefs are $50 million over the $300 million limit.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar