Travis Kelce appeared to give Kansas City Chiefs fans an answer on his pending retirement earlier in the week when reacting to the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. The veteran tight end discussed being in the building with Bieniemy and gave Kansas City fans an obvious reason to believe in his return. While it is impossible not to pull for the return of the NFL legend, it is fair to wonder whether it is the best thing for the Chiefs' future. It will be yet another season of wondering if it is a farewell tour and Kelce attempting to hold off Father Time.
Already, the once explosive tight end clearly isn't the playmaker he once was. This was obvious in a game against the Houston Texans when Kelce had a ball bounce off of him and into the arms of a waiting defender. It sealed Kansas City's playoff fate and set in motion the ugly ending to the 2025 season. The veteran still contributed 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns on offense, but clearly wasn't the explosive athlete he once was.
This creates a complicated offensive dynamic with Patrick Mahomes and Bieniemy not needing to feel beholden to feed any one player the football. Kelce is a legend and deserving of every accolade in his career, but there is no denying the questions that follow anytime the veteran has a quiet performance. For the Chiefs' offense to return to dominance, there needs to be a fresh start and an ability for Mahomes to lean on dynamic playmakers, relieving himself of some of the pressure he'd otherwise face.
Bringing Back Kelce Might Not Be Answer for Kansas City's 2026 Offense
Moving on from Kelce now rips the Band-Aid off and forces the Chiefs to find a long-term answer at the position. This could feasibly be achieved thanks to a talented free agency class featuring Kyle Pitts and Dallas Goedert as reliable potential targets. While neither player can touch the ceiling or greatness of Kelce, this, in many ways, presents a net positive. Kelce is no longer this player, either, and the Chiefs' offense would be freed of the expectations and distraction of the star player.
An obvious counter to this is pointing out the loss of Kelce's leadership and the passion he brings to the Kansas City sideline. Even in the middle of a miserable 2025 season, you could see this intensity that the Chiefs so badly need. However, this doesn't offset the negatives in what seems a pivotal offseason that is handing the Chiefs a chance to reset.
It is truly heartbreaking to see a legend go, and Kelce walking away would be a difficult decision to swallow. One that in many ways could prove to be in the best interest of a Kansas City team coming off a losing season and badly in need of new life and excitement in what has been a stale offense. Kelce's regression and inconsistency have aided this, even if the tight end remains an important locker room leader
Knowing when to walk away is a skill in itself, and Kelce needs to take a look in the mirror and realize it is far better to go out as this current version of himself than as a lesser player. That is what will happen if the veteran attempts to return for another season, giving Chiefs fans false hope and failing to give the offense a needed chance at a fresh start.