It was an emotional game on Christmas evening when Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs took on the Denver Broncos at home. For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs won’t be in the postseason, according to NFL research, so this marked the final game at Arrowhead Stadium for the 2025-26 season.
If these are Kelce’s final days in a Chiefs uniform, they won’t be timid ones. They’ll be soaked in emotion, in gratitude, in the kind of love that comes from building something real over time. This team isn’t just where he played football. It’s where he grew up, where he became a leader, a legend, a heartbeat of the locker room.
Every huddle will mean more. Every roar from Arrowhead will hit deeper. Travis will feel it all, the brotherhood, the pride, the memories stacked season after season. And when it ends, it won’t just be goodbye. It’ll be forever. But, emotions and feelings aside, following the Chiefs’ 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos, Kelce will have to make a retirement decision. He opened up about where he’s at right before the game.
Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs Sheds Light on Retirement Decision
On December 25, right before the game, Netflix aired an interview between Kelce and Tony Gonzalez. In the chat, the two talked about Kelce’s retirement decision.
Even though he hasn’t made up his mind, he gave hope in the interview that he might not retire just yet. “I think I’m still searching for those answers,” Kelce said when asked about the decision. “Obviously, the way this one ended with a sour taste in my mouth.”
Kelce added, “I feel motivated, but I’ve got to make the right decision for me. I’ve got to hope that if I do want to come back that the Chiefs are willing to bring me back. It’s a two-way street on that.”
Looking Ahead for the Kansas City Chiefs
As for the rest of the season for the Kansas City Chiefs, their final game will be on Sunday, January 4, against the Las Vegas Raiders on the road. That last game should be a fascinating one, to see Kelce and the Chiefs up against Maxx Crosby and the Raiders.
Even though the Raiders have a 2-13 record going into Week 17, they’re still an entertaining team, and Crosby is one of the best edge rushers in the league. Seeing him go up against the Chiefs’ offensive will be a treat.
In other Kelce news, on Tuesday, December 23, Kansas City officially announced that Kelce has joined Hall of Famer Jerry Rice as the only two players in NFL history with at least 800 receiving yards in 12 consecutive regular seasons. It’s another great accomplishment.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy talked Kelce up on Tuesday, December 23. “What Travis has done to this organization, to his teammates, to his coaches, to this city, it’s special. You hate to even hear that, and you know, I hope … that that’s not true,” Nagy stated in a presser.
Kelce means everything to the Kansas City Chiefs because he represents heart, confidence and belief. He changed what was possible at tight end and helped define a generation of Chiefs football. In the biggest moments, he showed up loud, fearless and unshakable. He brought joy to the game, fire to the locker room and trust when it mattered most.
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