Fans continue to monitor every comment regarding Travis Kelce this offseason, looking for clues as to whether the tight end will return to play another season.
After Chiefs owner Clark Hunt made it clear he wants Kelce back on the roster, newly rehired Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy stirred the pot during his introductory press conference on January 28. When asked if he’s spoke to Kelce or quarterback Patrick Mahomes, he gushed over a reunion.
“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.”
“To be honest, I have not talked any football or anything,” Bieniemy added. “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.”
GettyChiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (L) and Travis Kelce are pumped for Eric Bieniemy’s return to Kansas City.
While Kelce contemplates his future in the NFL, he’s kept a low profile. The 36-year-old quietly opted out of the 2026 Pro Bowl games. Kelce would’ve been the flag football game’s biggest draw as he led the Pro Bowl with 420,383 fan votes.
However, the future Hall of Famer is not staying at home during the Pro Bowl. In fact, he’s planning to make a public appearance in a very different competitive environment.
Travis Kelce Committed to Compete at the Waste Management Phoenix Open
Instead of traveling to San Francisco to participate in the Pro Bowl games on Feb. 3, Kelce is heading to Arizona for the annual Waste Management Phoenix Open on Feb. 4.
GettyTravis Kelce during the first round of the ACC Celebrity Golf Championship 2025.
The decision comes as a surprise since it was assumed that Kelce opted out of the Pro Bowl to avoid being at a public media event where he’d be bombarded with retirement questions.
But maybe the idea of being in San Francisco while not participating in the big game is a tad too depressing for the three-time Super Bowl champion, and the boisterous Annexus Pro-Am event provides a perfect distraction.
“Travis Kelce is one of the most accomplished and recognizable athletes of his generation,” tournament chairman Jason Eisenberg said in a statement. “His championship pedigree, competitive mindset, and star power make him a tremendous addition to the Annexus Pro-Am and an exciting presence for our fans during tournament week.”
Fans will keep an eye out to see if his fiancée, Taylor Swift, joins him at the tournament.
Travis Kelce Is Co-Hosting a Party in San Francisco Leading Up to Super Bowl LX
While Kelce is skipping the Pro Bowl, he’s hosting a party during Super Bowl week with Sports Illustrated and Tight End University, which he co-founded with George Kittle and Greg Olsen in 2021. The event, “Tight Ends & Friends,” will be held on Thursday, Feb. 5, at Public Works.
The event will feature “interactive games and activations, turf buildouts, and an incredible soundtrack of music all night long… an elevated party atmosphere that delivers a culturally relevant moment with unmatched authenticity and fan engagement.” Available tickets start at $185.
It’s unclear if Kelce is attending the event in person. During Tight End University’s annual offseason summit in Nashville, Swift made a surprise appearance and even performed at one of the events.
Travis Kelce Makes Surprising Decision for Super Bowl Week