How much does Travis Kelce have left? That’s at least partially in his control
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kelce signed a one-year deal worth $12–$15M to play his 14th NFL season.
- Observers noted Kelce’s slimmer build and renewed burst at age 36.
- Future production hinges largely on Kelce’s health and durability.
The Chiefs filed onto a 135-year-old Brazilian grass soccer field last September, their final practice before the 2025 season opener in São Paulo.
The players donned practice jerseys custom-made for the international trip, but as they departed the bus one by one, something stood out about Travis Kelce at the back of the line.
The tight end’s jersey was one size — or perhaps two sizes — too big.
The shirts had been ordered in the summer, as it turned out — before Kelce returned to Kansas City with a slimmer build. Weeks later, now in São Paulo, his stroll across the field provided the before and after pictures in one shot.
It also provided the visual of something else: A reason why he had more burst at age 36 than he did at 35.
Kelce is returning to the Chiefs for a 14th NFL season with a one-year contract that will pay him at least $12 million, and up to $15 million. He will turn 37 a month into the season, which makes this question relevant, albeit not unique to him:
How much does he have left?
Therein lies the lesson that last year provided.
He has some control over that answer.
Kelce completed something a year ago that most athletes his age do not. He had a bounce-back year ... at age 36. The back-of-the-football-card totals don’t completely show that, because they’ll omit the fact he had only 54 receiving yards in the final three games — those without Patrick Mahomes — and still finished with more yards than a did a year earlier.
But it’s not just about the totals.
It’s about how he made the most of his opportunity.
It’s about why he made the most of his opportunity.
Kelce was elusive again, particularly with the ball in his hands — not at his career-best norms, to be sure, but far more so than the previous year. In 2024, he averaged a career-worst 3.5 yards after the catch and forced only three missed tackles, per PFF. In 2025, after he spent the offseason working to get in better shape, he returned to 5.7 yards after the catch per reception.
And he forced nine missed tackles, triple the number of a year earlier, despite seeing a 25% drop in touches.
His 422 yards after the catch last year were the most ever for a tight end age 35 or older. That mark also ranked third among tight ends in 2025, trailing only 26-year-old Trey McBride and 23-year-old rookie Tyler Warren.
Kelce ranked ahead of Kyle Pitts and Brock Bowers and George Kittle. Heck, he almost equaled the number of yards after the catch as Bills tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox combined.
Here’s where that shows up most: Kelce turned 60.5% of his catches into first downs in 2025, only slightly below his career average. A year earlier, just 47.4% of his catches moved the chains.
The stats are important — but the reasoning is far more so.
After spending the previous summer on tour, Kelce made a point to get lighter for the 2025 season. It wasn’t exactly his favorite topic to discuss, but he didn’t need to discuss it. Even at training camp, absent full-tackle drills, it became evident he was playing with more burst.
If that’s the Kelce who just committed to the Chiefs for another year — and he talked on his podcast about being driven by the Chiefs 6-11 season in 2025 — they’re getting more than good story. They’re getting more than a veteran example or a locker room presence his teammates admire.
They’re getting production.
The comparison of 36-year-old Travis Kelce to 26-year-old Travis Kelce won’t do him any favors. But it’s the wrong one to make.
The right question: Is he still contributing?
The Chiefs need to move away from making him their No. 1 option, but last year proved he can still be an option — and a pretty good one.
The age has its limitations. Don’t get it wrong. He had some key drops. It certainly wasn’t a perfect year.
But Kelce was a statistical anomaly at age 36. He’s been an anomaly for most of his career.
It’s always been for reasons beyond the talent, because early on, the talent wasn’t enough to carry him.
It was still more than talent a year ago.
That’s the version the Chiefs need.
They have the No. 9 overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft, but after a couple of days of the legal tampering window and another of free agency, they’ve yet to add to their receivers room.
Which positions Kelce as a need more than a bonus.
How much more?
It’s at least partially in his control.
This story was originally published March 12, 2026 at 6:30 AM.