KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The NFL world received a much-anticipated update on the future of one of its most iconic stars late Thursday night. Following a highly emotional Christmas Day appearance at Arrowhead Stadium—where he was seen fighting back tears during the National Anthem—Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce officially addressed his retirement plans during a candid postgame session.
Speculation regarding Kelce’s departure reached a fever pitch this week, fueled by the Chiefs’ elimination from the playoffs and the news that the franchise will eventually relocate to Kansas. Many fans interpreted Kelce’s visible emotion on the sideline as a sign that he was playing his final home game in a Chiefs uniform.
However, in a newly released video interview, the 36-year-old future Hall of Famer provided much-needed clarity. While acknowledging that the “physical toll” of his 13-year career is becoming harder to ignore, Kelce stated that he does not plan to walk away immediately.
“I love this game, and I love this city,” Kelce said, still wearing his grass-stained jersey. “The tears today… that was just me realizing how lucky I’ve been to play in this building for so long. But the fire is still there. I’m not done yet. I plan on being back out there for the 2026 season to help this team get back to where we belong.”
The announcement comes as a massive relief to the Chiefs organization, which is already navigating the loss of Patrick Mahomes to injury and a losing record for the first time in the Mahomes-Reid era. Kelce’s decision to return provides the locker room with essential veteran leadership during what is expected to be a significant roster transition this spring.
Kelce also touched upon his life outside of football, noting that while his high-profile relationship and business ventures provide plenty of “exit ramps,” his primary focus remains on finishing his career on his own terms. “I want to go out when I know I can’t give it my all anymore. Right now, I’ve still got some gas in the tank,” he added.
Despite his commitment to 2026, Kelce hinted that the upcoming season would likely serve as his “Last Dance.” He expressed a desire to help bridge the gap for the next generation of Chiefs playmakers before officially hanging up his cleats.
As the Chiefs (6-10) prepare for their final regular-season game, the focus now shifts from “goodbye” to “rebuild,” with Kelce remaining the cornerstone of the franchise’s immediate future.
