Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has dominated the news amid retirement speculation, but the future Hall of Famer gained attention for a different reason after the Week 17 loss to the Denver Broncos.
On December 29, Inside the NFL released a behind-the-scenes look at Kelce’s on-field interaction with Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, following the game. And Kelce’s unexpected message to Nix turned heads on social media.
“You’re a hell of a competitor, man. You already know,” Kelce began, while embracing Nix.
“Love playing against you every single time, dog,” he continued. “Do your thing, baby, alright? Go get you one, man.”
That last part stood out the most. “Go get you one,” meaning a Super Bowl, in all likelihood.
It takes a certain level of class and humility to offer that sort of advice and good fortune to one of your greatest rivals, but there’s a reason Kelce is so well-respected around this league. When it comes to competitive spirit and showing the opposition proper recognition and admiration, Kelce is one of a kind.
His message to Nix — who just spoiled the potential Kelce retirement tour at Arrowhead Stadium — is just further proof of that.
Will Week 18 Be Travis Kelce’s Final Game With Chiefs Before NFL Retirement?
GettyKansas City Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce is still contemplating his potential retirement.
At the end of the day, only Kelce — and perhaps, fiancée Taylor Swift — know what the legendary KC figure will do after the 2025 season.
All logic points to Kelce returning for at least one more year in 2026. The Chiefs are closing out a disastrous campaign in which they missed the playoffs for the first time since Patrick Mahomes took over at quarterback, not to mention Kelce’s last game wouldn’t even be with Mahomes if he decided to call it quits.
Would the future Hall of Famer really end his career catching passes from Chris Oladokun in a totally meaningless game?
Again, logic would tell you no, but retirement isn’t always a logical decision for an athlete. Most times, it often comes down to desire, according to so many different athletes who have faced a similar crossroads.
Do you still want to play? Is that passion still burning inside you? If it is, the answer is clear. If it’s not, unfortunately, there’s no faking it on an NFL field.
For Kelce, it’ll come down to “want to.” Will the superstar “want to” return after everything he’s achieved both statistically and financially? Is he still motivated to climb the mountaintop one last time and try to win another Super Bowl?
Only Kelce can answer these questions, and that answer is unlikely to come directly after Week 18.
Trey Smith Headlines Chiefs’ Week 18 Injury News
It’s not just Mahomes who is closing out the 2025 season on the injured reserve. Star wide receiver Rashee Rice and star cornerback Trent McDuffie are right there with him, among others.
However, it seems most active and healthy starters will suit up in Week 18, per head coach Andy Reid, but one key starter could be held out of the final outing. And that would be right guard Trey Smith.
According to KC Star beat reporter Pete Sweeney, Smith’s “status for Sunday’s game remains up in the air.”
“The only one I think is questionable there would be Trey [Smith],” Reid told reporters at the start of Week 18. “He kind of pushed through that ankle, and he would probably push through this game, too, but I’m most likely going to hold him back a little bit. That thing’s been bugging on him for a while. That’d be probably the only one.”
If Smith doesn’t play, it’ll no doubt make life much harder for third-string QB Oladokun and, in turn, Kelce as well.
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