The rumors of Travis Kelce’s retirement have been flying since the beginning of the 2025 season. Following the Kansas City Chiefs‘ first losing season in a decade, those speculations have reached new heights. After several NFL analysts and players spoke on the matter, the Chiefs’ owner, Clark Hunt, has now given his verdict on Kelce‘s retirement stance.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that he can still play,” said Clark Hunt on the Good Morning Football podcast, via Jeremy Bergman on X.

The franchise reached five Super Bowls and won three of them in just seven years. Kelce has been one of the key players in creating a dynasty in Kansas City under Hunt’s ownership. So, it’s very unlikely that the owner will let go of one of his star players.

Despite the losing season, the TE has been grinding hard and led the franchise in receptions (76) and rushing yards (851), and scored five touchdowns. In Week 18, he reached another milestone in his career. He became the fastest tight end to cross 13,000 receiving yards. He did it in 192 games, surpassing Tony Gonzalez, who achieved it in 232 games.

Although 36, the 11-time Pro Bowler’s numbers prove that he still has fuel left in his tank. Moreover, Hunt has always been appreciative of Kelce. Upon wrapping up the regular season, he congratulated the four-time First Team All-Pro.

“Congrats on 13 years,” Hunt told Kelce.

He later added, “Good stuff.”

While the owner is optimistic about TE’s return, there are two major factors that stand in his way. First is his contract. With the season officially ending in March, his two-year contract, valued at $34.25 million, will be up. He will become a free agent. The second, of course, is the retirement chatter and Kelce’s take on it.

Travis Kelce answers the retirement rumors

Travis Kelce’s Hall of Fame career now stands on a life-changing turn. Either he follows the rumors and hangs up his cleats, or he continues playing for the Chiefs. Initially, his teammate Chris Jones spoke about how he wants the TE to stay in Kansas City for one more year, and now Clark Hunt has also shared his honest opinion.

While the 6-11 season has magnified the retirement rumors, Kelce believes he can continue at the top level.

“I don’t know, it’s a tough thing to navigate,” Kelce said on the New Heights podcast.

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He further added, “But at the same time, if my body can heal up, rest up and I can feel confident that I can go out there and give it another 18-, 20-21 week run. I think I would do it in a heartbeat. Right now is just finding that answer. And seeing how the body feels after this game and when it all settles down.”

Also, Eric Bieniemy’s return as the offensive coordinator can play a role in deciding his future.

Travis Kelce may continue playing following Eric Bieniemy’s return

Eric Bieniemy was with the Chiefs for a decade, from 2013 to 2022. From 2018 to 2022, he was their offensive coordinator. Under his tutelage, Kelce excelled, covering 1000+ yards consecutively for seven years, with five of them coming when Bieniemy was the OC. They had a great bond and proved to be one of the many pillars in ending the Chiefs’ 50-year Super Bowl drought in 2019. In 2023, he went to the Chicago Bears before returning to Kansas City in 2026.

During one of the New Heights podcast episodes, Travis admitted to Jason that he enjoyed watching the Bears in 2025. Well, the reason behind it was Bieniemy.

“I just love watching teams that have Eric Bieniemy as their coach,” said Kelce.

With Bieniemy’s return, it may motivate Kelce to return for the 14th season of his career. However, the decision will be upon Andy Reid and Clark Hunt themselves, whether they want to renew his contract.

“I think I’m still searching for those answers. I think, obviously, the way this one ended with a sour taste in my mouth, I feel motivated, but I got to make the right decision for me,” Kelce said to former TE Tony Gonzalez, while summing up the 2025 season. “I’ve got to hope that, you know, if I do want to come back, the Chiefs are willing to bring me back. So it’s a two-way street on that.”