Travis Kelce may have finally hinted at his future in the NFL during a recent episode of the New Heights podcast. The tight end suggested he plans to return for another season. This is significant because Kelce has been very quiet about whether he will retire, despite ongoing questions about his next move.
According to People, Kelce made the revealing comment while talking with his brother, Jason Kelce, about the Chiefs bringing back former offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy after three years away. He could not hide his excitement about the reunion, telling listeners he “can’t wait to see” Bienemy “back in the building” next season.
That statement caught the attention of fans who have been waiting for any information about his retirement decision. Kelce, who is 36 years old, praised the returning coach and made it clear they have a strong history together.
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Kelce’s enthusiasm for next season suggests he’s planning to stay
He called Bienemy “one of my favorite coaches of all time, one of my favorite people of all time.” Kelce explained that he “had so many unbelievable growing moments under him as a player, as a person.” He added that “it’s going to be awesome to see him back in the building and see him back wearing the Chiefs logo, baby!”
If someone is planning to retire, they typically don’t plan their schedule around next year’s coaching staff. Kelce has spent the entire season avoiding questions about leaving the game. While he has been talking with major networks about potential opportunities, he has said those conversations are “not affecting” his decision to retire or return.
However, fans quickly noticed his excitement about the Bienemy news. Sports fans have been going wild online lately, similar to how they reacted to Miami’s championship loss. Many believe the tight end’s comments are the closest thing to an official announcement we will get right now.
Bienemy’s return is a major development for the Chiefs. He originally joined the team in 2013 as their running backs coach. He was later promoted to offensive coordinator after quarterback Patrick Mahomes was drafted, where he helped build the dominant offense. The excitement around coaching changes reminds some of how Indiana fans celebrated their title.
Bienemy left Kansas City in 2022, spending time with the Washington Commanders and UCLA before coaching running backs for the Chicago Bears this season. His return is a big boost for the coaching staff, and Kelce’s clear excitement about working with him again strongly suggests we will see number 87 back on the field next season.
Published: Jan 22, 2026 12:45 pm