Kansas City Chiefs bring back tight end Tre Watson on future deal as Travis Kelce’s retirement call remains up in the air

For the Kansas City Chiefs, the tight end position has felt automatic for years. As long as Travis Kelce was on the field, there was little reason to think about what came next. That comfort no longer exists. With Kelce openly weighing retirement, even the smallest roster decisions now feel connected to a much bigger question about the future of the offense.
That context is what makes the Chiefs’ move on January 12 worth paying attention to. Kansas City re-signed tight end Tre Watson on a reserve future contract, keeping a developmental player in the building as the organization waits for clarity from its superstar. It is not a headline-grabbing signing, but it fits how the Chiefs tend to operate when uncertainty is in the air.

Why the Chiefs brought back Tre Watson as Kelce’s future remains unclear

The news was first shared by A to Z Sports Kansas City reporter Charles Goldman, who posted the update on X. In explaining the move, Goldman wrote, “The Chiefs signed TE Tre Watson to a reserve/future deal. Watson spent the season on the team’s practice squad.” The timing mattered. Watson was one of several practice squad players whose contracts expired on January 12, and the Chiefs chose to lock him in before that window closed.
Watson entered the league as an undrafted rookie after playing college football at Texas A&M and Fresno State. At 6 foot 5, he has the size teams look for at the position, but his rookie season was slowed by injuries. Despite that, Kansas City kept him around all year, first on the 90 man roster and then on the practice squad, which usually signals long-term interest.
His on-field work with the Chiefs has been limited so far. During the 2025 preseason, Watson was targeted twice and finished with one catch for four yards. His college resume offers more context. Over 45 games, he caught 78 passes for 862 yards and five touchdowns. His most productive season came at Fresno State in 2023, when he recorded 38 catches for 366 yards and four touchdowns.
All of this ties back to Kelce. His retirement decision has turned into a waiting game, one the Chiefs are trying not to rush. While no hard deadline has been announced, the expectation is that Kelce will inform general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid of his plans before free agency begins in March. If that does not happen, the NFL draft in late April becomes the next checkpoint.
For now, Kelce is away from football, spending time with family after a disappointing end to the season against the Philadelphia Eagles. He admitted that loss left a bad taste, but he did not suggest the decision would be simple. Patrick Mahomes was sidelined for Kelce’s final games due to injury, and their close relationship could still factor into what happens next. Until that answer comes, the Chiefs are doing what smart teams do. They are keeping options open, holding onto young players they like, and quietly preparing for change without forcing it.
Also read: Travis Kelce reportedly needs Taylor Swift’s permission before committing to another NFL season


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