Travis Kelce Hypes Kenneth Walker III Contract, Says Chiefs Are 'Making Another Run'

Travis Kelce says the Kansas City Chiefs are "making another run at it" after reportedly agreeing to a free agency contract with former Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III.

"The Chiefs are making moves. We've got Brett Veach and Andy Reid, going and getting the Super Bowl MVP. You kidding me?" Kelce said Tuesday during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

The signing was reported Monday, the same day NFL Network's Ian Rapoport announced Kelce would return to the Chiefs on a one-year, $12 million deal worth up to $15 million.

Walker is heading to Kansas City on a three-year, $43.05 million contract, per ESPN's Brady Henderson. Neither deal can be made official until the 2026 league year begins Wednesday.

Kelce reportedly turned down more lucrative contract opportunities in order to return to the Chiefs, according to Rapoport.

"I'm not gonna lie, it was pretty short and brief," Kelce told McAfee about his deliberations over whether to return to Kansas City for a 14th season. "And the Chiefs knew where I was the entire time on it.

"You always need to take a step back, breathe, let the emotions of the season settle down and see where the body is, and things like that. But man, I'm still in love with this game. I still love going to work, putting on the pads, grinding it out and just playing the game. I think my best opportunity was playing for the Chiefs yet again, and running this thing back with Pat Mahomes and Coach Reid."

Kelce had previously hinted at his return on a January episode of his New Heights podcast, when he was discussing the Chiefs' decision to bring back former running backs coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for the 2026 season.

"I can't wait to see him back in the building, man," Kelce said in January.

When asked about that quote on Tuesday, Kelce pointed toward his fiancee Taylor Swift as a role model for dropping hints toward future news.

"The thing is, once I started dating Taylor, I started understanding what Easter eggs were," Kelce joked, before adding: "Yeah, that was a slip-up. I didn't even realize I said that."

The Chiefs are now set to feature Walker and Kelce, alongside Noah Gray, Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice and Jalen Royals, as options for Mahomes as he works to come back from the ACL and LCL surgery that prematurely ended his 2025 season.

Kansas City could be hope bringing in Walker, who racked up 313 rushing yards across three playoff games during the Seahawks' run to a Super Bowl LX title, will help take some of the pressure off Mahomes when he makes his return to the field this fall.