> At a Glance
> – Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is undecided on playing past his 13th NFL season
> – Kansas City failed to reach the playoffs for the first time in a decade
> – Kelce, 10-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion, calls decision “tough to navigate”
> – Why it matters: His choice will reshape the Chiefs’ roster and signal the possible end of a dynasty core
After the Chiefs’ surprise playoff miss, longtime tight end Travis Kelce faces the biggest question of his career: whether to return for another season or walk away.
The Crossroads
Kelce, drafted in 2013, has never missed the postseason since becoming a starter-until now. The 2025 campaign ended with a December loss to the Chargers, a defeat he said left “a sour taste.”
- Age: 36 next season
- Résumé: 10 Pro Bowls, 3 Super Bowl titles
- 2025 record: 8-9, first losing season since 2012
What Kelce Is Saying
On the New Heights podcast, he admitted he is “still searching for answers.” In a Prime Video interview aired Dec. 25, he told retired star Tony Gonzalez:
> “The way this one ended… I feel motivated, but I got to make the right decision for me.”
He added that he will spend time with family and the organization before choosing, noting:
> “Either it hits me quick or I gotta take some time.”
Coaches and Teammates React
Head coach Andy Reid said:
> “Trav can still play… we have a little bit of time to figure everything out.”
Defensive tackle Chris Jones predicted:
> “He’ll be back next year,” then softened, saying, “I can’t promise you anything about another man.”
Life After Football
Kelce already has ventures outside the NFL:
- Co-owns a Kansas City steakhouse with quarterback Patrick Mahomes
- Hosts the weekly New Heights podcast with brother Jason
- Recently filmed roles in Happy Gilmore 2 and FX’s Grotesquerie
- Engaged to singer Taylor Swift since August 2025
Key Takeaways
- Kelce has not set a decision deadline and plans to be a “regular human” for a few weeks
- He will gauge whether his body can handle another 18-21-week grind
- Chiefs front office must also decide if they want him back
- Retirement would mark the second Kelce brother to exit the league within two seasons
The tight end’s eventual call will shape both Kansas City’s 2026 roster and the legacy of one of the franchise’s most decorated players.
