Travis Kelce talks retirement decision after Chiefs finale: 'Either it hits me quick or I've got to take some time'
- - Travis Kelce talks retirement decision after Chiefs finale: 'Either it hits me quick or I've got to take some time'
Jason OwensJanuary 4, 2026 at 9:01 PM
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The Kansas City Chiefs' season is over, and Travis Kelce isn't ready to make a decision about his football future.
The Chiefs concluded their season Sunday with a disappointing 14-12 loss to the 3-14 Las Vegas Raiders and finished out of the playoffs at 6-11 for the first time since Kelce's second NFL season in 2014. It's an unfamiliar spot for Kansas City and Kelce, who faced the same decision last offseason, that time coming off a loss in the Super Bowl.
Kelce talks decision process
Kelce addressed his football future on Sunday and how he'll go through the process of making the decision while speaking with reporters in the postgame locker room. He says it will start with meeting with Chiefs management.
"I'll spend some time with them, go through exit meetings tomorrow and get close to the family and figure things out," Kelce said.
Kelce was then asked specifically if he intends to take some time to get away from the emotions of the season before making his decision. He acknowledged that, unlike this year, he knew right away that he wanted to return.
"Who knows?" Kelce continued. "Either it hits me quick or I've got to take some time. Last year was a little bit easier. I think I knew right away I wanted to kind of give this one a shot. So I dunno. We'll see."
Travis Kelce on his timeline for his decision on next year: pic.twitter.com/7mVJtAXF4c
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) January 5, 2026
Kelce, 36, is coming off his 13th NFL season, all of them with the Chiefs. There's nothing left for him to accomplish on the football field.
Will he or won't he?
Kelce is a seven-time All-Pro, 11-time Pro Bowler, three-time Super Bowl champion and a future Hall of Famer. Per Spotrac, Kelce has earned more than $111 million in his career, and that doesn't include his endorsement deals. He's engaged to Taylor Swift.
If Kelce decides to return, he'll do so for the love of playing the game and for the Chiefs. That might not be as enticing as it was last season when the Chiefs were fresh off their fifth Super Bowl appearance in six years. And the status of quarterback Patrick Mahomes for next season is unclear following his season-ending ACL tear in December.
Kelce's play has declined from his All-Pro level in recent seasons, but he remains relatively healthy and one of the game's most productive tight ends. Kelce played in all 17 games this season, tallying 76 catches for 851 yards and 5 touchdowns, earning his 11th straight Pro Bowl selection in the process.
If Kelce ultimately decides to hang it up, he'll do so as one of the greatest tight ends to play the game.
Source: “AOL Sports”
