Travis Kelce may be 35 and heading into his 13th NFL season, but he’s not showing signs of slowing down. According to his quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, Kelce is working like someone in his prime, not someone thinking about retirement.
Mahomes and Kelce have built a strong connection since 2018. When asked about Kelce possibly wrapping up his career after the 2025 season, Mahomes made it clear: there’s no talk of a “last ride” coming from the tight end.
“He’s talking about getting better, not about being done,” Mahomes said. “He’s training hard, his body feels great, and he’s focused on having a stronger year than last.”
Bouncing Back from a Quiet Season
Kelce’s 2024 stats were lower than usual. He finished the regular season with 823 yards and just three touchdowns. These are numbers which he hasn’t posted since his rookie year. His postseason started strong with a 117-yard game against the Texans. But the next two games, including a Super Bowl blowout loss to the Eagles, were disappointing. Kelce later admitted he wasn’t at his best and wanted to redeem himself.
That loss pushed him to come back.
“I got a bad taste in my mouth from that game,” Kelce texted to Pat McAfee. “I can’t go out like that.”
Why Retirement Was on the Table
Despite saying on Super Bowl week that he hoped to keep playing, Kelce was reportedly weighing his options. Some believed a Chiefs win would have been the perfect ending. But with the loss, Kelce felt unfinished business. He confirmed on his New Heights podcast that the defeat was the biggest reason he’s back.
The Chiefs’ GM also hinted that this could be Kelce’s final year under contract, saying he’s “fired up” for one more run.
Where Kelce Stands All-Time
Even if 2025 turns out to be his last, Kelce’s resume speaks for itself:
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Most 1,000-yard seasons by a tight end
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Most 100-yard games by a tight end (38)
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Third all-time in tight end receiving yards, despite playing nearly 100 fewer games than the two ahead of him
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First in playoff catches (178)
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Second in playoff yards (2,078)
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Second in playoff touchdowns (20)
He’s also one of only three players to lead three Super Bowl-winning teams in receiving yards.
His playoff record with Mahomes; 18 touchdown connections, which is the highest of any duo in postseason history, even more than Brady and Gronkowski.
Kelce might be nearing the end of his career, but his approach to the game in 2025 doesn’t reflect it. Whether or not this is his last season, he’s stepping onto the field with something to prove.
