It seems there is an increasing belief that the Kansas City Chiefs will retain Travis Kelce for the 2026 season. Kelce was straightforward about considering retirement, but it appears the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has pushed the legend to a likely return. This is based on reactions from Kelce to the addition of Beiniemy as well as recent comments from the coordinator himself, via A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman, with the latest hint of Kelce's return.
""I've had just a small minimum conversation with both, and they have been great. More than anything, it's just the excitement of reuniting... I'm looking forward to getting back in the grind and chopping wood with them.""Eric Bieniemy
With signs pointing toward Kelce returning for the 2026 season, there is a clear path to parting ways with struggling tight end Noah Gray. The veteran's production fell off a cliff last season, going from 437 yards in 2024 to only 178. It wasn't just yardage that went down, either. Gray produced fewer yards per catch and failed to reach the endzone after scoring five touchdowns during the 2024 campaign. There simply is no ignoring that Gray's regression points to a need to bring in more established depth behind Kelce.
If the veteran tight end is going to return, the Chiefs need a well-thought-out plan to help keep Kelce rested to save his reps for when the season matters most. Whether it is selecting a potential successor with one of the team's three top-75 picks or looking at free agency for a more reliable option, there is a clear need to upgrade the position.
Bieniemy's Comment on Kelce's Return is Bad News for TE Noah Gray
It must be noted that Bieniemy is returning to Kansas City after a stint with the Chicago Bears, where he had a front-row seat to the damage Colston Loveland did in his rookie season, while being supported by Cole Kmet as the second option. This is the type of duo the Chiefs need to attempt to replicate, and the first step in that process is parting ways with Gray after a dismal season. Gray caught a career-low 56 percent of his targets, making it clear that even in limited chances, the pass catcher wasn't getting the job done.
Gray's contract allows the Chiefs to cut the tight end after June 1 and pay only a $1.5 million dead cap fee while opening up $5.5 million in additional offseason space. It is an obvious path to take with Kelce expected to return, allowing the Chiefs to make the necessary improvements behind the legend that should lighten his 2026 workload.
Additional reasons to get rid of Gray are Jared Wiley, Tre Watson, and Jake Briningstool, as they are all under contract for the 2026 season. This trio is more than capable of filling the open third tight end role, with the easiest path to that outcome being re-signing Kelce and drafting a replacement for Gray with one of their first three draft selections. If Bieniemy's comment is any indication, this is the path we're walking and will end with Gray looking for a new landing spot in the 2026 offseason.