The Kansas City Chiefs have some work to get done this offseason if they want to find themselves back in contention next season. The Chiefs are coming off a disastrous season in which they won only six games and missed the postseason for the first time since 2014.
To make matters worse, quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and may have a tough time being ready for Week 1 of next season.
Chiefs’ OC Change Puts Travis Kelce’s Future in Focus Ahead of Free Agency
This offseason, one of the Chiefs’ most pressing decisions centers on free-agent tight end Travis Kelce. If he intends to play in 2026, it will require a new contract — and the return of a familiar offensive voice could be the factor that ultimately convinces him to suit up again in Kansas City.
After a lackluster offensive season, the Chiefs decided to move on from offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. The Chiefs lacked explosiveness in both the run and passing games, which is what made them dangerous in years past.
From 2018 to 2022, Eric Bieniemy was the OC in the Chiefs. Now he is back and looking to help the Chiefs boost their offense.
Former NFL wide receiver Isaiah Stanback is clearly amped about this hire for the Chiefs and believes it could play a role in Kelce’s decision to return.
Stanback said, “I am excited because Eric Bieniemy is back in the building, and people need to put some respect on his name … From the years of 2018 to 2022, when Eric Bieniemy was the man out there, these guys averaged 30 points a game and 400 yards of offense…that’s what Patrick Mahomes loves.”
Many players enjoy playing for a coach they are familiar with, and Bieniemy’s return will bring some continuity. Kelce is coming off a down season, where he caught 76 passes for 851 yards and five touchdowns.
.@IamSTANBACK is stoked to see Eric Bieniemy back with this @Chiefs offense 👏#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/Xa8DpTE0mc
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) February 23, 2026
This was his third straight season with less than 1,000 receiving yards, and it was his lowest catch total since 2015. Even though Kelce is no longer the player he once was, he is still a locker room leader and one of the most well-respected players on the team.
Also, he has a great relationship with Mahomes and knows the offense Bienemy wants to run. It would be hard to imagine Kelce in a different uniform.
Even though last season did not go as expected, do not expect the Chiefs to keep losing. They are too well coached and still have one of the two or three best quarterbacks in the league. With all the winning the Chiefs have done in recent memory, it would be surprising if Kelce retired after a disappointing year.
He will likely run it back one more time and see if the Chiefs can get back to the Super Bowl. Kelce will be 37 in October, so enjoy what may be his final season as he hopes to go out a champion.
