Chiefs fell 20-13 to the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day, but the headline was not the score-it was the question of whether tight-end superstar Travis Kelce will suit up at Arrowhead again.
The loss snapped a streak of five straight defeats and left the Chiefs with a 6-10 record, a season that sees them miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014. The team also lost star quarterback Patrick Mahomes to injury, adding to an already rocky year.
After the game, Kelce was asked whether he had ever considered that the December 25 matchup might be his final home game with the Chiefs. He laughed and said, “No, the only time it ever crossed my mind is I was driving in the other day, and I saw how much the Powerball was. I was like, ‘Man, if I could just win that, I wouldn’t have to work another day in my life'”.
He then turned a bit more serious, adding, “Honestly, I’ve just been focused on trying to win football games, man,” and continued, “I’ll let that be a decision that I make with my family, friends, the Chiefs organization when the time comes.”.
Kelce, 36, was a third-round pick by Kansas City in the 2013 NFL Draft and has become one of the franchise’s all-time greats. He is a three-time Super Bowl champion, a seven-time All-Pro, and has been selected to the Pro Bowl every year since 2015. This season, he led all players in fan votes.
His career totals include more receiving yards than any Kansas City player in history, the third-most among NFL tight ends, and the Chiefs’ all-time record for touchdown catches. His public profile has risen sharply in recent years, in part because of his relationship with fiancée Taylor Swift. Swift attended the December 25 game at Arrowhead to mark what would be Kelce’s 13th NFL season home finale.
Before the Christmas Day tilt, Kelce spoke with former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez about his future and whether the game could be his last as a Chief. In a Prime Video interview, he said, “I think I’m still searching for those answers,” and continued, “I think, obviously, the way this (season) ended with a sour taste in my mouth, I feel motivated, but I got to make the right decision for me. I got to hope that if I do want to come back, the Chiefs are willing to bring me back, so it’s a two-way street on that. But, at the same time, at this point in this year, I’m just trying to finish out and give Chiefs Kingdom everything I got and go out there and do it with some of that flare that you said I play with,” he added. “I still have a lot of love for this game,” he said. “If I feel like if I came back, it’d just be to answer that flame in my heart that I still love this thing.”
Kelce and the Chiefs will finish the season with a visit to the Las Vegas Raiders on January 4. The exact time for that game has yet to be announced.
Key Takeaways
- Chiefs lost 20-13 to Broncos on Christmas Day, ending a five-game losing streak.
- Travis Kelce deflects retirement talk, emphasizing focus on winning and decision with family and organization.
- Kelce’s career includes three Super Bowl titles, seven All-Pro selections, and record-tying receiving yards for the franchise.
The Chiefs’ season has been difficult, but Kelce’s commitment to the game remains clear. Whether he returns to Arrowhead or steps away, his impact on the franchise and the NFL is unquestionable.
