RM Travis Kelce Looks Back on His Chiefs Journey, Will Decide on Future “When the Time Comes”
As the 2025 season wraps up, the thought of Travis Kelce retiring seems more plausible than ever. The future Hall of Famer has already achieved more than most in his 13-year career, with three Super Bowl rings, 11 Pro Bowl selections, and seven All-Pro honors (four first-team, three second-team). On top of that, he’s just gotten engaged, and with so much to look forward to outside of football, the decision to step away could come sooner rather than later.
If this is Kelce’s final season, the Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos may have marked his last appearance at Arrowhead Stadium, the venue where he’s played his entire career. The Chiefs fell short in a 20-13 loss to the Broncos, but the atmosphere at the stadium was anything but discouraging. Kelce appeared to be deeply reflective after the game, acknowledging the special connection he’s had with Chiefs fans.
“You feel the generations of happiness and the love they have for you,” Kelce shared, via the Associated Press. “It’s a beautiful thing, man. It’s something I know I’ll cherish forever, whether it’s coming out of the tunnel or just making a big play for them. That’s why we love Arrowhead.”
Despite the disappointing result, Kelce continued to give his all on the field, finishing with five catches for 36 yards. As the Chiefs battled the AFC West-leading Broncos with a third-string quarterback in a game that had little impact on the standings, Kelce showed his veteran leadership, making key blocks and pushing his teammates to finish strong. Though the team has struggled this season, Kelce remains one of the few constants from the Chiefs’ glory years.
Reflecting on his pregame moment before a Christmas night crowd of over 60,000 fans, Kelce admitted it was a rare and meaningful experience. “You only get a few of those moments where you get to stand there and appreciate 60, 70 thousand Chiefs fans cheering for you,” he said. “I always embrace that moment.”
Kelce’s 2025 campaign has been solid, earning him another Pro Bowl selection. With 73 catches for 839 yards and five touchdowns, his numbers remain impressive, even though he’s not quite the same elite player he was in his prime. At 36 years old, he acknowledges his playing days are nearing an end but remains uncertain about what comes next. “I’ll decide when the time comes,” Kelce said.
Though the Chiefs’ 2025 season has been full of frustrations and missteps, including an ongoing struggle in close games and a high-profile announcement that the team plans to relocate to Kansas and build a new stadium by 2031, Kelce is doing everything he can to finish strong. He’s one of the few pillars of the Chiefs’ dynastic run still standing, leading by example for the younger players.
As Kelce looks toward the final game of the season, he’s just two catches away from moving past Terrell Owens for the eighth-most receptions in NFL history and could also break the 13,000-yard receiving mark. But even as his playing career enters its twilight, his bond with his teammates remains strong.
“We’ve been through so much together,” said Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones. “Just one more (season). Just one more.”
