Travis Kelce Hints at When He’ll Make a Retirement Decision After Chiefs Lose Last Game of the Season

Kelce, 36, may have played the final game of his 13-year NFL career on Sunday

Travis Kelce on Dec. 21, 2025 in Tennessee.Credit : 

Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Travis Kelce shared a glimpse into how he’ll make a decision on whether to retire
Kelce told reporters he’s “proud of the way we finished the season, even though it ended the way it did” after the Chiefs’ 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders
The tight end said he “knew right away” that he wanted to return to the NFL after last year’s loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl, but wasn’t sure how long the decision will take this time

Travis Kelce will spend time with family before making the toughest decision of his career.

The superstar tight end, 36, was asked by reporters what his next few weeks will look like as he considers retirement after the Chiefs’ 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in their final game of the season on Sunday, Jan. 4.

“First things first, I just love this team,” Kelce said, in a video shared by Kansas City Star reporter Sam McDowell, before shouting out teammate Chris Jones who was “pointing at me from across the room.”

Kelce said he’s “proud of the way we finished the season even though it ended the way it did,” and praised his teammates who “still showed up and gave it their all” after losing quarterback Patrick Mahomes to injury.

On his feelings about retiring, Kelce told reporters, “I’ve got so much love for this team, this organization and the people here, so I’ll spend some time with them, go through exit meetings tomorrow and get close to the family and figure things out.”

Travis Kelce on Dec. 25, 2025 in Kansas City.Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty

The NFL star said he “knew right away” after last year’s Super Bowl loss that he “wanted to give this [season] a shot.” This time around, Kelce said “we’ll see” regarding his feelings this offseason.

“Who knows? Either it hits me quick or I gotta take some time,” he said, adding, “I think last year was a little bit easier.”

When another reporter asked the three-time Super Bowl champion if he felt like he was a “better player” this season, he said he did.

“Obviously we didn’t do as well as a team but I felt like I came into the season prepared and ready to rock n’ roll with the right intentions.”

Travis Kelce on Dec. 25, 2025 in Kansas City.Jamie Squire/Getty

Kelce told reporters the “ball just didn’t go our way in a lot of close games” this season and said if he does “choose to come back” for another season, “that’s something I’ve really gotta focus on,” citing his availability and staying “ready for those moments.”

Before playing in the Chiefs’ Christmas Day game against the Broncos — likely his last home game of his career — fans noticed Kelce looked emotional and took his time while coming out of the tunnel to the field. After the game, said he was feeling “a whole lot of emotions” during a press conference, according to the Associated Press.

Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes on Aug. 22, 2025.AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

“You’ve got everybody in the world watching you,” he continued. “You get to go out there with the young guys on primetime television. Young guys getting an opportunity to taste what this NFL life is like.”

The Chiefs were eliminated from the playoffs after their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 14. Kelce declined to speak to reporters after the loss, telling them, “It’s not the time.”