Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has dominated headlines, but the team quietly confirmed a roster reunion that could signal strategic moves at the position.

On January 12, the Chiefs officially re-signed tight end Tre Watson on a reserve/future contract, bringing back a young player whose return comes at a crucial time for Kansas City.

With superstar Travis Kelce’s potential retirement hanging over the team, the tight end position remains uncertain, making Watson’s continued presence a welcome piece of stability.

A-to-Z Sports Kansas City reporter Charles Goldman broke the news on X, reporting: “The Chiefs signed TE Tre Watson to a reserve/future deal. Watson spent the season on the team’s practice squad.”

Watson was one of several practice squad members whose contracts were set to expire on January 12, and Kansas City made sure the deal was finalized before the deadline, signaling clear interest in keeping him within the organization.

Chiefs Tight End Tre Watson Overcame Rookie Injuries, Earning Kansas City’s Trust

Tre Watson, the 6-foot-5 tight end, was pictured during the 2025 preseason, showcasing the potential that Chiefs coaches clearly value.

Undrafted out of Texas A&M and Fresno State, Watson joined Kansas City early in the offseason, but his rookie campaign was marred by injuries, limiting his ability to make an immediate on-field impact.

Even with these setbacks, Watson remained on the 90-man roster, a clear indicator that Kansas City sees long-term potential in the young athlete and is willing to invest in his development.

According to Goldman, Watson spent the entire 2025 season on the practice squad, appearing sparingly during preseason action, where he caught just one pass for four yards over two targets.

Watson’s collegiate career showcased more consistency. Across 45 games, he caught 78 passes for 862 yards and five touchdowns, demonstrating both reliability and playmaking ability.

In particular, his 2023 season at Fresno State was a career highlight, with 38 receptions for 366 yards and four touchdowns, solidifying his reputation as a versatile receiving tight end.

Travis Kelce Retirement Rumors Continue to Stir Speculation

As Watson returns, all eyes are still on Chiefs legend Travis Kelce and his uncertain playing future, which remains a major talking point for Kansas City’s offseason strategy.

The potential Hall of Famer has not set a firm deadline, nor have the Chiefs, creating a waiting game for fans and analysts alike.

Kelce has, however, indicated he intends to avoid negatively impacting Kansas City’s offseason plans, suggesting he will communicate his decision to GM Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid before free agency begins in March.

If the star tight end delays past that soft deadline, the next critical moment would arrive in late April with the NFL Draft, providing the Chiefs an opportunity to prioritize the position based on Kelce’s decision.

That said, statements from both Reid and Kelce suggest the superstar is unlikely to let the team wait until draft day, hinting that a decision may come much sooner.

Currently, Kelce is taking time away from the field, dedicating his attention to family and personal matters, an approach rarely taken by elite athletes who remain central to a playoff-contending roster.

While the Chiefs rarely miss the postseason, Kelce’s break provides him with roughly two months to evaluate his next steps, time he may use fully before making a final retirement decision.

Kelce has also remarked that the choice to retire became more straightforward following Kansas City’s disappointing Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, an outcome that left him frustrated and reflective.

Although the 2025 season ended poorly for the team, Kelce did not suggest that the decision itself was easy, leaving fans uncertain about whether he will return for another campaign.

Interestingly, Patrick Mahomes missed the final games of the season due to his own injury, which may influence Kelce’s choice, as the close personal bond between the quarterback and tight end has been a defining feature of Chiefs’ recent success.

A potential return would reunite the duo, pairing Kelce with his two-time MVP quarterback for potentially one final run together, adding both emotional and competitive weight to the decision.

Michael Obermuller covers the NFL as an Associate Editor for Heavy Sports, having joined the team in 2021. His reporting emphasizes breaking news in the NFL, with particular focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Obermuller brings deep experience to his analysis, offering insights informed by years of tracking league developments and player performance, and he hails from the New York City area, holding a degree from Quinnipiac University.

The Chiefs’ front office will now balance strategic roster moves, like re-signing Watson, with the larger question of Kelce’s future, a decision that could reshape both the team’s offensive approach and the broader NFL landscape.

Keeping Watson ensures Kansas City retains depth at tight end while navigating a period of uncertainty surrounding their superstar, a prudent move in a league where injuries and retirements can rapidly change a team’s trajectory.

As training camps approach and free agency looms, the narrative of Kelce’s potential retirement combined with Watson’s development creates one of the most intriguing storylines for the Chiefs heading into the 2026 season.

Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, weighing the impact of Watson’s return against the larger question of whether Kelce will once again don the Chiefs’ uniform or step away from football for good.

The combination of young talent and veteran presence gives Kansas City both optimism and tension—optimism for Watson’s potential growth, tension in awaiting Kelce’s ultimate decision.

In the coming months, every Chiefs fan will follow these developments closely, knowing the team’s success in 2026 may hinge on both the return of key players and the emergence of new contributors like Tre Watson.