Chiefs HC Andy Reid delivered an encouraging update on Travis Kelce’s status. According to ESPN’s Nate Taylor, Reid said there is active communication between Kelce and the team. “As long as there’s communication, I’m good," Reid said. "That means people want to move forward. I think that’s where Travis is.”
What They're Saying
Reid: "I'm not trying to put words in his mouth at all, and I try to give him some space here. He's been doing this a long time, and he can sort all that out as he goes forward. But we're proceeding with that."
2026 Fantasy Football Impact
This is the first time in Kelce’s 12-year career that he has reached free agency. He led the Chiefs in targets (108), receptions (76), receiving yards (851), and TDs (5) last year. He finished third among TEs in PPR scoring.
Kansas City has real incentive to bring him back. Marquise Brown and Tyquan Thornton combined for a 22% target share and 25.4% of the team’s receiving yards last season, and both are headed to free agency. The Chiefs also restructured Patrick Mahomes’ contract to create cap flexibility.
Rashee Rice’s latest off-field issues inject more volatility into Kansas City’s offense. He led the Chiefs’ WRs with a 29% target share last season, so any suspension or missed time would create a significant opportunity shift.
If Kelce re-signs, he’s mispriced at his early TE19 best-ball ADP. There is still some risk Kelce hangs it up, but if he plays, he’s almost certain to smash that price.
If you’re drafting one or two early best-ball teams, be more selective with Kelce. The price is attractive, but the retirement risk adds real volatility. In smaller builds, you don’t need to force that uncertainty. Take him only if he falls past ADP.
However, larger best-ball portfolios should lean into the discount. Kelce’s ceiling remains top-three at the position if he plays, and that upside is underpriced at his current ADP. In diversified builds, this is exactly the type of asymmetric bet worth overweighting.