Travis Kelce gives a hint as to when he plans to retire after the Chiefs’ final game of the season. After 12 seasons, three Super Bowls, and countless primetime moments, Travis Kelce ready to give an answer. Following the Chiefs’ season-ending loss, the 36-year-old tight end spoke softly about what comes next—not in terms of stats or legacy, but family, exit meetings, and “figuring things out.”

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs walks off the field after being defeated by the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Travis Kelce on Dec. 21, 2025 in Tennessee.Credit : Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty

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.”

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) in the third quarter of a Christmas Day NFL game between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs on December 25, 2025 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.
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.”

ravis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs leaves the field following the 20-13 loss against the Denver Broncos
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.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15), Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) watch as the Chiefs come off the field after a scoring drive during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. The Bears defeated the Chiefs, 29-27.
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.”

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