Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce could be playing the final game of his NFL career on Sunday, traveling to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders with nothing but pride on the line.
The Chiefs have already been eliminated from playoff contention and lost quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a season-ending injury, putting more attention on Kelce and what could be the end of his career. The tight end has not given a direct answer about retirement, but dropped hints about the major decision coming this offseason.
Travis Kelce Grappling With Retirement Decision
Kelce has avoided some questions about retirement, skipping media availability after games for a stretch near the end of the season before sitting down with reporters last week. When asked about whether he will retire, the veteran tight end has only said it will be a difficult decision.
“I think I’m still searching for those answers,” Kelce said, via the New York Post. “Obviously, the way this one ended with a sour taste in my mouth. I feel motivated but I’ve got to make the right decision for me. I gotta hope that if I do wanna come back that the Chiefs are willing to bring me back. It’s a two-way street on that.”
Kelce couldn’t say what would go into the decision, only that he would know what felt right.
“I know when it’s over, it’s over,” Kelce said. “I feel like I still have a lot of love for this game, 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 seemed to be in a reflective mood during last week’s loss to the Denver Broncos, which would be his final game at Arrowhead Stadium if he decides to retire.
“You only get a few of those where you just get to stand there and appreciate 60-70,000 Chiefs fans screaming for you,” Kelce told reporters. “I always embrace that moment, man. It’s fun. Hopefully I got everybody fired up for it.”
Big Changes Coming for Travis Kelce
Kelce has some big milestones ahead, whether he decides to retire or not. He and longtime girlfriend Taylor Swift got engaged in 2025, with reports that the couple is planning a wedding for the late spring.
The New York Post’s Page Six found a potential date at an expensive venue near Swift’s Rhode Island home.
“Taylor Swift cut a hefty check to snag a bride’s wedding date at a posh Rhode Island venue, Page Six is told,” the report noted. “Multiple sources tell us that the billionaire pop superstar wanted to marry her fiancé, Travis Kelce, at Ocean House in Watch Hill on Saturday, June 13, 2026.”
If Kelce does return, he would need to sign a new contract with the Chiefs — or a new team, if he chooses. His contract is up at the conclusion of this season, and could start the season with a new quarterback if Mahomes is still recovering from the torn ACL and LCL he suffered in December.
Is Travis Kelce Retiring? Chiefs TE Drops Cryptic Hints on NFL Future