Travis Kelce, the iconic tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, has reportedly decided against retirement and will return for at least one more season following the team's unexpected failure to reach the NFL playoffs. An insider close to the player revealed the news to the Daily Mail, stating Kelce does not want his legendary career to end on such a sour note.
A Season of Unfamiliar Failure
The Chiefs find themselves in unfamiliar and unwelcome territory after being eliminated from playoff contention following a 16-13 loss to the LA Chargers on Sunday. This marks the first time since 2014 that Kansas City will not feature in the postseason, a stark contrast to their recent run of three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, which included back-to-back championship victories culminating in 2024.
With their record now at 6-8, the disastrous outcome has inevitably raised questions about the future of several veteran players in the Arrowhead locker room, with the 36-year-old Kelce at the forefront of that speculation.
"One Last Run" With Mahomes
According to a source close to Kelce, the season-ending defeat has actually convinced him to shelve any retirement plans and commit to playing on in 2026. "Travis Kelce does not want to go out on the back of the Chiefs failing to make the playoffs," the insider stated. They described the current period as a "bust era" for the team, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Kelce himself, following years of Super Bowl-or-bust expectations.
The source elaborated: "He was heavily considering retirement... But how it has all turned out, he doesn't want to go out this way. Travis is now heavily considering going through the offseason with the same mindset in training and to do at least one more season. Give it one last run."
Kelce's primary motivation is to have "one more ride" with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and end his career on his own terms, rather than with the "nightmare" of the 2025 season. This comes after he previously considered walking away following the Chiefs' failure to achieve a historic 'three-peat' in last season's Super Bowl, where they were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Wedding Plans and a Future in Broadcasting
Kelce, who is set to marry global music superstar Taylor Swift in June 2026 according to reports, is now determined to right the wrongs of this season. His offseason work will now be framed around preparations for both his wedding and a final campaign.
Furthermore, his impending absence from the playoffs has sparked significant interest from television networks. The insider confirmed that "all the stations that show the NFL are clamoring" to have Kelce join their playoff coverage as an analyst this year, viewing it as a potential test run for his post-playing career.
The disappointment of the season was palpable after Sunday's loss. A crestfallen Kelce was seen trudging back to the locker room, declining requests for autographs from young fans in the tunnel with a quiet "Not right now y'all," and also opting not to speak with the media after the game that sealed the Chiefs' fate.
