Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has faced retirement rumors over the past few years. At 36, he has already established himself as one of the best tight ends in NFL history. In March, he decided to play at least one more season, signing a one-year, $12 million contract to return to Kansas City for 2026.
A key factor in Kelce’s decision is his relationship with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The two have showcased their connection during training camp. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Kelce praised Mahomes’ performance as he recovers from a torn ACL and LCL.
“Everybody knows I love that guy,” Kelce said. “That’s a brother to me. I’m so proud of the way he handled adversity from last year to right now. We still have about a month until the first game, but if you see him out here, he’s enjoying the game, competing at a high level, and not thinking about the knee. He’s playing his tail off and leading us.”
Mahomes sustained his injury during a Week 14 game against the Los Angeles Chargers last season. This ended his season prematurely, and the Chiefs lost their next three games, resulting in their worst record (6-11) of the Mahomes era.
Approaching 31 and overcoming his most severe career injury, concerns emerged about Mahomes’ readiness for Week 1 of 2026. Would the injury affect his performance? During camp, coaches and teammates applauded his play, indicating he hasn’t missed a beat. Expectations are high for Mahomes to start when the Chiefs face the Denver Broncos on Monday, Sept. 14, at Arrowhead Stadium.