Speculation runs rampant about Travis Kelce returning to Kansas City Chiefs for Year 14 after OC Eric Bieniemy’s latest comments
Eric Bieniemy’s comments about Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce drummed up more speculation of him returning for Year 14.
To retire or not to retire? That’s the question Kansas City Chiefs fans eagerly await an answer to regarding star tight end Travis Kelce.
It seems like there are more rumors and speculation every week since the 2025 NFL season ended about what the future holds for Kelce. Yesterday, it was Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt weighing in on the situation. Today, it’s the words from returning Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy that have caused a stir. Kelce, of course, enjoyed some of the best seasons of his career under Bieniemy during his first stint as offensive coordinator in Kansas City, with five consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons from 2018 through 2022.
So, will that be enough to bring Kelce back for another year?
Will Eric Bieniemy’s return to the Chiefs influence Travis Kelce to forego retirement and return for Year 14?
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy was asked whether he had communicated with either Patrick Mahomes and/or Travis Kelce since returning to the fold. Mahomes and Kelce are two of the only remaining members of the offense, along with guys like Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith, who worked with Bieniemy during his first stint as offensive coordinator.
Mahomes is under contract for the 2026 NFL season, but Kelce is not.
“You know what? I’ve had just a small, minimum conversation with both,” Bieniemy said. “And they all have been great. But more than anything, it’s just the excitement of reuniting.”
You might be thinking, “He wouldn’t use the word reuniting if Kelce weren’t coming back.”
You wouldn’t be the only one thinking that either (just check the responses to my post on X). However, when Bieniemy elaborated, it wasn’t really talking shop so much as checking in. Still, his words have Chiefs Kingdom hopeful for what could be Year 14 for Kelce, and perhaps a proper send-off compared to what the 2025 NFL season brought.
“You know, it was just like when I came here,” Bieniemy continued. “We came out here, and we played them in the preseason. It was great seeing those guys, you know, because I haven’t seen them in years, and so it just feels good just to sit down and have conversations with guys, and to be honest, I have not talked any football or anything. It’s just the excitement of just seeing each other, asking how they’re doing, and making sure everything is good moving forward. But is the excitement high? Yes. Am I fired up? Yes. Do I respect the hell out of both those guys? Yes. So, I’m looking forward to getting back in the grind and chopping wood with them.”
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