With the 2025 NFL playoffs underway, the Chiefs are officially on a quest to pull off the first three-peat in NFL history. A Super Bowl wouldn’t just mean three straight titles for the Kansas City but also would be the team’s fourth title in the last six years.
In addition to generational quarterback talent Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce has been the franchise’s cornerstone player throughout the development of this dynasty.
What Kelce has done for this offense is incalculable. He has been Mahomes’ go-to guy for years and constantly comes up big in the clutch when the team needs him most. When all is said in done, he’ll go down as one of the best tight ends in NFL history.
Yet Father Time waits for no one. Kelce turned 35 years old this season and is approaching the end of his career. Considering everything that Kelce and the Chiefs have accomplished in recent years, it might be a bit easier for him to step away.
What has Kelce said about retirement? Here’s what you need to know.
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Will Travis Kelce retire after this season?
At the age of 35, Kelce is the second-oldest pass catcher (wide receiver or tight end) in the NFL. He trails only Marcedes Lewis, who was with the Bears this season at 40 years old. When receivers and tight ends reach Kelce’s age, retirement becomes the question.
Kelce has not been shy about the fact that he’s considering retirement after this season. But at this point, he has not announced whether he will retire or return to Kansas City next season.
In a recent interview with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Kelce did provide some insight into his thought process: “It changes every single day, man. I’m excited for these next couple of games. To play up at Arrowhead, to finish this season off. I’ll reevaluate it like I always do and I’ll probably tell myself how much I love this thing and I’ll come back next year.”
Kelce added: “As long as I’m coming out here, playing good football, and enjoying coming into the building every day with my guys, you’ll see me in a Chiefs uniform.”
When you’re a Hall of Fame talent like Kelce, the decision to retire isn’t really made for you, it’s a decision you make yourself. If Kelce decides this offseason is the right time, don’t be shocked if he hangs ’em up.
But for the time being, fans will just have to sit and wait for his decision.
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Travis Kelce contract
Kelce signed a two-year, $34.25 million extension with the Chiefs in May 2024. This contract keeps him in Kansas City through the end of the 2025 season.
With this new deal, Kelce is currently the highest-paid tight end in football in terms of the average annual value (AAV) of his contract.
Travis Kelce career stats
| Travis Kelce Career Stats | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Games | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Yards/Gm | Touchdowns |
| 2013 | KC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | KC | 16 | 87 | 67 | 862 | 53.9 | 5 |
| 2015 | KC | 16 | 103 | 72 | 875 | 54.7 | 5 |
| 2016 | KC | 16 | 117 | 85 | 1125 | 70.3 | 4 |
| 2017 | KC | 15 | 122 | 83 | 1038 | 69.2 | 8 |
| 2018 | KC | 16 | 150 | 103 | 1336 | 83.5 | 10 |
| 2019 | KC | 16 | 136 | 97 | 1229 | 76.8 | 5 |
| 2020 | KC | 15 | 145 | 105 | 1416 | 94.4 | 11 |
| 2021 | KC | 16 | 134 | 92 | 1125 | 70.3 | 9 |
| 2022 | KC | 17 | 152 | 110 | 1338 | 78.7 | 12 |
| 2023 | KC | 15 | 121 | 93 | 984 | 65.6 | 5 |
| 2024 | KC | 16 | 133 | 97 | 823 | 51.4 | 3 |
| Career | 175 | 1400 | 1004 | 12151 | 69.4 | 77 | |
This season, Kelce became just the third tight end of all time with 1,000 career receptions. His 1,004 receptions (and counting) rank first among all active players, one slot ahead of current teammate DeAndre Hopkins.
