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Travis Kelce may enter Arrowhead Stadium for the last time on Christmas Day when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Denver Broncos.
Rumors of Kelce’s impending retirement have swirled for the past two seasons as his production, while still as solid as can be expected for a 36-year-old NFL player, declined. With the tight end in the final year of his contract, talk of Kelce stepping away has only grown louder.
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce waves to fans as he walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was asked what it meant to him that it could be Kelce’s last game at home.
“I don’t know if it is or not. I haven’t talked to him,” Reid said. “I think his numbers and personality and the person I think speaks for itself. Phenomenal person (and) great for the community. He’s everything you want from a player representing an organization.”
Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy also touted Kelce’s level of play.
“He’s doing great. There’s going to be some routes that he ran really, really well as a third (or) fourth year in the league,” Nagy said. “But what he’s using now is he’s savvy with his mental. These guys see what he’s doing and he’s able to set guys up. He’s having a great year right now and I think that’s what’s so special about his leadership skills. The way he leads these guys is second to none.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/John Amis)
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“It’s been a tough year. It hurts to be where we are right now. We understand the frustration, it’s hard (and) it’s not fun. When you go through these times, I think at the end of the day, one of the things I’ll think back to Trav and these other vets is how they’re handling this moment right now, which is not fun or easy. They’ll always remember that, and I’ll always remember that.”
Last month, Kelce opened the door to a potential return in 2026.
He said he would let the Chiefs know before the organization has to start making decisions about draft picks and free agency.
“I’m going to give the Chiefs a good opportunity whether I come back or not or whether they want me back or not,” Kelce said, via ESPN . “I want to make that decision before they have to grab drafts and free agency that can fill the roster appropriately.
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“All that will be at the end of the season. I don’t want to think about it until then.”
