The Kansas City Chiefs are fresh off one of their most disappointing seasons in recent memory. For the first time during Patrick Mahomes‘ run as the team’s starting quarterback, the Chiefs did not make it to the AFC Championship Game. Heck, they didn’t even qualify for the playoffs, and making matters worse, Mahomes tore his ACL late in the year. Now, an important offseason has arrived, and all eyes are on star tight end Travis Kelce.
As he approaches the end of his career, retirement rumors have continued to swirl around Kelce. While he’s remained one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL, Kelce is not the player he once was, and many folks figured the 2025 campaign would be his final year in the league. And yet, it sounds like Mahomes’ favorite target in the passing game may be open to running it back one more time.
Travis Kelce Considering Pushing Off Retirement Once Again
Kelce could have retired years ago, and his legacy would have been set in stone. Over his 13 years in the league, Kelce has been a Pro Bowler 11 times, while also earning All-Pro selections seven times, four of which saw him land on the First Team. More importantly, though, is the fact that he has helped Kansas City win its three most recent Super Bowl titles.
As he’s gotten older, Kelce’s skills have begun to erode. In 2025, he suited up for all 17 games, and while his numbers were solid (76 REC, 851 YDS, 5 TD), they don’t come close to what he was doing during his prime. That sort of regression happens to athletes everywhere, but with the Chiefs limping to the finish line, it seemed like there was a decent shot that Kelce’s career would come to an end this offseason.
However, that decision does not appear to be set in stone. There’s a decent chance that Kelce does not want K.C.’s miserable 2025 season to be his final one in the league, even with seemingly every sign pointing to him retiring. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, while Kelce is still figuring things out, it appears as if there’s a real chance he returns to the field for the Chiefs in 2026.
“Kelce was seen bouncing around San Francisco parties and events, even as the soon-to-be-married man’s next move remains uncertain,” Russini wrote. “While retirement has been discussed, many close to him believe he could return for at least one more season. A final decision has yet to be made, but a 14th season is looking more real than ever.”
Chiefs Hoping Travis Kelce Does Not Retire
GettyTight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.
It would make a lot of sense for Kelce to call it a career. He has nothing left to prove, and with a wedding to Taylor Swift quickly approaching, it’s clear that he has a lot to look forward to in his post-playing career. Ever the competitor, though, there’s no doubt that Kelce doesn’t want to call it a career after arguably the most miserable season of his career from a team perspective.
He’s not the player he once was, but Kelce’s rapport with Mahomes in the passing game is a valuable asset for the Chiefs, and they would surely rather have him on the field when the 2026 season rolls around. For a point in time, that didn’t appear too likely to happen, but now, it’s looking like there’s a real shot Kelce returns for at least one more year.
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