Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has revealed ‘dialogue’ with Travis Kelce is still ongoing as the team nervously awaits a decision over his future.
Kelce, 36, is weighing up retirement again this offseason after his 13th year in the NFL ended in disappointment last month.
Having considered walking away on the back of their Super Bowl thrashing by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025, but ultimately resisting the urge to do so, the legendary tight end is pondering the same question once again following Kansas City’s failure to reach the playoffs last season.
Given his age, declining form and upcoming wedding to Taylor Swift, many have suggested the time is right for Kelce, who is now entering free agency, to finally hang up his cleats.
Yet Veach says the Chiefs are still holding out hope that he returns for another year.
‘We’ve taken a different approach with Travis, in the sense that we’ve kind of prepared for either scenario,’ he said at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has revealed ‘dialogue’ with Travis Kelce is still ongoing
Kelce, who is set to marry Taylor Swift this summer, is weighing up retirement this offseason
‘Coach [Andy Reid] mentioned on Friday he’s had good dialogue with Travis. On our end, myself, [assistant general manager] Chris Shea, Travis’ crew, we’ve had some good dialogue there.
‘I’m sure we’re gonna see [Kelce’s agent] here just like we will all the other players’ agents and we’ll continue that dialogue.
‘But Travis is the best, he’s an icon… and hopefully he’ll come back. We’ll just kind of let that process play out.’
Last week head coach Reid fueled speculation that Kelce will steer clear of retirement once again and return for the 2026 season.
‘There is communication,’ he said. ‘That’s the main thing. I’ve said this before: As long as there’s communication, I’m good. That means people want to move forward. I think that’s where Travis is.’
Kelce has spent every season of his NFL career under Reid in Kansas City, winning three Super Bowls and shattering countless records.
His latest two-year deal at Arrowhead Stadium ran to the end of the 2025 season. Last month, following the final game of the campaign, he said he was unsure how long it would take to decide his future.
The 36-year-old tight end failed to reach the playoffs in his 13th season with Kansas City
‘Who knows?’ the Chiefs icon said. ‘Either it hits me quick or I’ve got to take some time.
‘Last year was a little bit easier. I think I knew right away I wanted to kind of give this one [year] a shot. We’ll see.’
Kelce is set to tie the knot with Swift in a lavish Rhode Island wedding this summer after proposing last August.
He began dating the pop megastar back in 2023, going public with the romance when she turned up to one of his Chiefs games for the first time that September.