A decision on playing in 2026 still looms for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and while he may not make that decision for a few more weeks (if not months), he did have some recent comments that seem to indicate which way he's leaning.
On the latest episode of his New Heights show with Jason Kelce, Travis spoke about the impending return of Eric Bieniemy as the Chiefs offensive coordinator in 2026. Bieniemy previously held the role from 2018 to 2022.
Kelce called Bieniemy one of his favorite coaches and people ever and hopes that the rumors of him returning to the Chiefs are true. Bieniemy currently serves as the running backs coach of the Chicago Bears.
“I can’t wait to see him back in the building, man,” Kelce said. “He’s one of my favorite coaches of all-time, one of my favorite people of all time. I’ve had so many unbelievable, growing moments under him as a player, as a person, and I just love the guy, and it’s gonna be awesome to see him back in the building and see him back wearing the Chiefs logo, baby.”
Kelce predicted that Bieniemy's return would mark a return to form that the Chiefs have seemingly lost over the past two years.
“I think it’s a marriage that’s gonna pick up right where it left off,” Kelce said “E.B., he and who he is as a coach, you can see kind of his personality, what he brings to the table in that Chicago team. I know Ben Johnson has his own version of that. He’s a very tough guy. And what he did in Detroit, he brought over as well.”
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Back with Bieniemy?
The bigger question this seems to raise is whether Kelce's enthusiasm for Bieniemy entices him to give the Chiefs another year in the NFL. He's 36 years old but out of contract right now, so a return to the team isn't completely in his control.
Kelce's enthusiasm might also be a statement of intentions to simply WATCH the Chiefs play under Bieniemy next season.
All told, there isn't a ton that we can gain from his comments today other than confirmation that he's a big fan of his former coach.