All eyes are on Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in Week 18. The Chiefs’ matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders could mark the 11-time Pro Bowler’s final game in the NFL.
While rumors swirled over whether Kelce’s possible retirement after the team’s disappointing Super Bowl finish last season, he still had one more year left on his contract. Now, Kelce enters the offseason as a free agent, and at age 36, it’s unclear if he wants to keep playing.
“Honestly, I’ve just been focused on trying to win football games, man. I let that be a decision that I make with my family, friends, the Chiefs organization when the time comes,” he told reporters after Kansas City’s loss to the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day.
If Kelce decides to hang up his cleats for good, he’s already done enough to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Against the Raiders on January 4, he reached another historic record.
Travis Kelce Is the Fastest Tight End to Reach 13,000 Career Receiving Yards
During the third quarter, the Chiefs proudly announced Kelce’s latest historic achievement, becoming the fastest tight end to record 13,000 career receiving yards. They posted, “Another height reached 🏹 Congrats, @tkelce!
While Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn’t travel with the team to Las Vegas after tearing his ACL in Week 15, he celebrated the news on X. He posted, “13K! 💪🏽.”
Kelce is just the third tight end in NFL history to register 13,000 yards and he did it in 192 games. Tony Gonzalez reached that mark in 232 games while Jason Witten did it in 259 games.
Kelce also holds the NFL record with the most consecutive seasons (10) with at least 75 receptions. With two receptions against the Raiders, he also moved past Terrell Owens for the eighth-most receptions (1,097) in NFL history.
Chiefs Star Chris Jones Hopes Travis Kelce Keeps Playing for ‘1 More Year’
GettyChiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones at Arrowhead Stadium on December 14, 2025.
Chiefs superstar defensive tackle Chris Jones, drafted by the franchise in 2016, has played the entirety of his career alongside Kelce in Kansas City. They’ve won three Super Bowls together.
Speaking to reporters after the Chiefs’ loss last week, Jones made it clear he wants Kelce to stick around.
“Travis has been a pivotal part of this offense for so long, and he’s been like a brother,” Jones said. “I hope this isn’t the last year. I hope he gives it one more year. Just one more.”
Kelce promised not to drag out his decision and will announce his plan before March. “It’s one of those things where I’d like to make that decision before they have draft picks and free agency opens and they can go out there and fill the roster appropriately,” Kelce said.
“All of that will be after the season. I won’t think about it until then.”
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