Don’t expect an immediate decision about Travis Kelce’s NFL future.
Speaking Sunday after the Chiefs wrapped their regular season with a 14-12 loss to the Raiders, the All-Pro tight end, 36, provided insight as to how he will figure out next steps as he remains undecided about a 14th NFL season.
“I’ve got so much love for this team, this organization and the people here. I’ll spend some time with them, go through exit meetings [Monday] and get close to the family and figure things out,” Kelce said, according to ESPN.
The three-time Super Bowl champion added that a call about his future could take a beat compared to last year, when he opted to return for year 13 in the wake of the Chiefs’ crushing Super Bowl 2025 defeat to the Eagles.
“Either it hits me quick or I’ve got to take some time. Last year was a little bit easier. I think I knew right away I wanted to kind of give this one [year] a shot. We’ll see,” Kelce said.
Just about everything went wrong for the Chiefs in 2025, with the worst of it coming in December, when the club was eliminated from postseason contention for the first time since 2014 and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL.
Kansas City finished the year at 6-11.
Kelce, who has played for the Chiefs the entirety of his career, tallied 851 yards and five touchdowns across 17 games this season.
Buzz about a potential Kelce retirement has been building throughout the year.
In November, the 11-time Pro Bowler said he would decide by early March ahead of free agency.
“I want to give the Chiefs a good opportunity, whether I come back or not — or whether they want me back or not,” said Kelce, who is slated to become a free agent. “I’d like to make that decision before they’ve got to get draft picks and free agency opens to fill the roster appropriately.”
Kelce has already started to explore opportunities beyond the field, serving as co-host of the popular “New Heights” podcast with his older brother, retired Eagles center Jason Kelce.
He has also guest-hosted on “Saturday Night Live” and hosted the Amazon game show “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity.”
Beyond his professional endeavors, Kelce is also preparing to say “I do” following his August engagement to pop superstar Taylor Swift.
The couple has been together since 2023.
