Kansas City Chiefs players Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes have gotten some legal news amid the NFL trading season.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have been the cornerstone of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ franchise over the past several years.
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The two have been the best at their respective positions for most of their NFL careers. They have set numerous records together, particularly during the postseason. The Chiefs definitely don’t reach the heights they have over last decade without them.
Mahomes and Kelce quickly struck up a close friendship when they became teammates back in 2017. They have appeared at multiple events together throughout the world, and even opened Kansas City-based restaurant 1587 Prime. Both on and off the field, it’s tough to imagine the Chiefs without either of them.
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, TE Travis Kelce Named Among NFL’s Most Untradeable Players
Mike Kadlick of Sports Illustrated recently made lists of players who are longshots to ever be traded, as well as ones who have not shot at ever being dealt. When it comes to Kelce, Kadlick stated that the all-time great tight end would retire before accepting a trade.
“After mulling retirement, Kelce signed an extension with the Chiefs last month that will bring him back to Kansas City for a 14th NFL season—and sets up the 2026 campaign to potentially be his last. If a trade out of K.C. was ever pursued, the tight end would likely call it quits before the paperwork was even filed.”
Rumors of Kelce being interested in playing for another organization in 2026 were quickly put to bed after he re-signed with the Chiefs last month.
“He is going to turn down more money to stay in Kansas City, to be loyal, to [stay] with (Chiefs quarterback) Patrick Mahomes, and continue to have another shot at the Super Bowl,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport stated. “This is something the Chiefs have been adamant about doing. They have wanted this to happen, [it was] just a matter of if he would get to free agency. In the end, he is expected to stay in Kansas City.”
As for Mahomes, Kadlick believes that he will be untouchable for the remainder of his career.
“A three-time Super Bowl champion (and three-time Super Bowl MVP), Mahomes is already a surefire Hall of Famer and has set himself up to be in the GOAT conversation when it’s all said and done. Even as he recovers from a season-ending knee injury, the 30-year-old will never be traded by the Chiefs.”
Mahomes has six years remaining on the 10-year, $450 million contract extension he signed back in 2020. He is certainly not going anywhere until that deal expires after the 2031 season. Barring retirement, it his highly likely that Mahomes will stay with the Chiefs beyond that.
However, I wouldn’t completely close the door on Mahomes ever being traded. When players reach the end of their careers, no matter how great they are, circumstances change. We’ve seen plenty, if not most, Hall of Famers finish their careers in other uniforms.
Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce Have Unfinished Business Together
Patrick Mahomes #15 and Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs walk off the field together during the second quarter in the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York
Part of why Kelce is returning for a 14th season is to have the opportunity to win a fourth Super Bowl. The Chiefs have already retooled their roster and coaching staff during free agency, and have nine picks in the 2026 NFL Draft to continue to add more talent.
Mahomes is rehabbing from a torn ACL injury that he sustained toward the end of 2025. He made need some time to hit his stride after he returns, but hopefully will be by the stretch run of the season. Another goal will be to preserve Kelce and not over-exert him until then. If those things happen, the Chiefs could get hot at the right time and get back to championship form.
Nick Roesch Nick Roesch covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, with a focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Chargers. He previously covered the Chiefs for USA TODAY Sports’ Chiefs Wire, and all 32 NFL teams for A to Z Sports. Roesch’s career in sports media spans 10 years. More about Nick Roesch
