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Travis Kelce’s potential retirement has been a topic for a few seasons now, but the Kansas City Chiefs superstar won’t address it at all as the playoffs heat up.
But the Chiefs and the rest of the NFL may get a timeline for when that decision will come.
Kelce, who is in his 13th NFL season, all with Kansas City, has the door open for a 14th year in the league. However, he is entering the final year of his contract with the Chiefs, raising the question of whether he wants to return or will officially hang up the cleats to end a Hall of Fame career.
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Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on November 16, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Before the Chiefs take on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, hoping to snap a two-game losing streak, Kelce said he will tell the Chiefs of his decision before NFL free agency begins in March 2026.
“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.
“All that will be at the end of the season. I don’t want to think about it until then.”
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The 36-year-old tight end has discussed his future, specifically how he wants to go out. And while his fiance is all about the rides, Kelce is the exact opposite.
He doesn’t want the “farewell tour”.
“It’s not me,” he said.
There are a few reasons to believe Kelce will return for the 2026 NFL season, and one of them is his production this season. While the Chiefs are 5-5, Patrick Mahomes and Kelce have maintained their patented chemistry on the field — the one that helped in their three Super Bowl victories together. Many questioned what Kelce still had left in the tank after last season, even though a down year for the tight end resulted in 97 catches for 823 yards and three scores.
Kelce is coming off his eighth 1,000-yard season. He has 50 receptions for 631 yards and four touchdowns through 10 games. He might not average more than 70 yards per game like he did in his seven straight 1,000-yard seasons, but that’s still 63.1 yards per game — and Mahomes finds him in the end zone, too.
Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs runs onto the field during the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on November 16, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
The Chiefs have had some receiving issues in 2025, although Rashee Rice is back in the fold after his suspension sparked a rejuvenated Chiefs passing attack. But Kelce’s numbers put him among the best in the NFL at his position.
Only Arizona Cardinals star Trey McBride has more receiving yards this season (718) than Kelce among tight ends, while the veteran leads the Chiefs in targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns.
Kelce gave credit to his teammates for his performance so far this year.
“I think what you’re seeing is that I’m a product of my environment right now,” he said. “Everything is based on how the offensive line does and how the guys around us do and obviously, the chemistry me and [Mahomes] has been able to accumulate over the years.”
“He’s done a heck of a job,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said of his trusty tight end. “He worked like crazy in the offseason to get himself in tip-top shape, which you have to do when you get to an older age. You have to work a little extra, and he did. It’s paying off for him.”
Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs stands on the sideline during the national anthem prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on November 2, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Kelce’s future will continue to be a topic for the rest of his career, whether it’s after the 2025 campaign or further down the road. It was the same for his older brother, Jason Kelce, when he finally called it quits with the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2023 campaign.
For now, Kelce is focused on helping his Chiefs get back into the playoffs. It appears the AFC West title will belong to a team not named the Chiefs for the first time since 2015 after a loss to the Denver Broncos, who lead the division with a 9-2 record.
