Chiefs' Owner Addresses Travis Kelce's NFL Future As Speculation Grows Over His Retirement Decision

Travis Kelce has yet to make a final decision about his playing future, but Kansas City Chiefs' owner Clark Hunt believes the NFL star still has plenty to offer.

Despite the Chiefs' underwhelming season, the tight end posted respectable numbers, which has likely influenced Hunt's confidence that he could return for another year.

Previously, Travis Kelce said he would decide on his next steps before NFL free agency opens ahead of the coming season.

Ahead of the new NFL season, speculation continues to grow over whether Travis Kelce will return as the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 36-year-old has spent 13 seasons in the NFL, with his most recent campaign seeing him record 851 yards and five touchdowns.

Given those numbers, it is no surprise that Chiefs' owner Clark Hunt hinted at wanting Kelce to continue playing during his recent appearance on "Good Morning Football."

"He had another great year, maybe not on par with where he was four or five years ago, but still had over 800 yards, and was really one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball for us," Hunt said about Kelce, per Pro Football Talk.

He added, "So, there's no doubt in my mind that he can still play. We're trying to be respectful and let him have the time that he needs to make a decision."

While Kelce's decision about his future remains up in the air, he is not being pressured to make one until he is ready, largely due to personal commitments.

The player became engaged to his longtime superstar girlfriend, Taylor Swift, in August, and preparations for their marriage are currently underway, though they are being kept largely under wraps.

"He has sort of a busy offseason coming up with his engagement and marriage, so we want to be respectful and give him the time he needs to make a decision," Hunt further remarked.

However, when he does make his decision, Hunt hopes it will be in favor of a return, as the Chiefs continue their rebuild following an underwhelming season that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.

Rumors of retirement first began to swirl after the Chiefs lost the 2024 Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles.

However, last February, Kelce clarified that he would return for the 2025 season, and he ultimately played 17 games.

On the final day of the season, he also set a milestone, becoming the third tight end in NFL history to reach 13,000 receiving yards.

While many fans of Kelce are hoping he will return once again, the player has said he only intends to reveal his decision just before NFL free agency opens.

"I want to give the Chiefs a good opportunity, whether I come back or not -- or whether they want me back or not," Kelce shared during an interview, per ESPN.

He added, "I'd like to make that decision before they've got to get draft picks and free agency opens to fill the roster appropriately."

"All that will be at the end of the season. I won't be thinking about it until then," Kelce also remarked.

Most recently, Kelce hinted that his decision might be positive when he weighed in on the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to the Chiefs.

Bieniemy served in the position from 2018-2022, and subsequently took up positions at the Washington Commanders, UCLA, and the Chicago Bears, respectively.

During his earlier stint, he had a positive impact on Kelce, which has hyped up the player ahead of their reunion.

"I can't wait to see him back in the building, man," Kelce said on his "New Heights" podcast.

"He's one of my favorite coaches of all-time, one of my favorite people of all time. I've had so many unbelievable growing moments under him as a player, as a person, and I just love the guy. And it's gonna be awesome to see him back in the building and see him back wearing the Chiefs logo, baby," he added.