For Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, his Week 17 outing against the Broncos felt every bit like the final goodbye. He was the final player to be introduced on Thursday night, who pulled his signature bow-and-arrow gesture as he emerged from the shadows. He jogged out to the field before stopping to take it all in, as if to look around Arrowhead one last time, as if he wanted to remember it all long after it was over.

“Honestly, I’ve just been trying to win games,” Kelce said during the post-game press conference with reflections that are no longer abstract but rooted in careful consideration with a lot of clarity on timing and organisational alignment. “I’ll let that be a decision that I make with my family, friends, and the Chiefs organization when the time comes.”

The post-game scenes carried unmistakable weight that amplified the sense that this night could carry long-term meaning. He logged five catches for 36 yards and had a chance to help force overtime on the final drive. Sadly, the comeback attempt fell short. Kelce lingered around the field long after the final whistle, exchanging hugs and handshakes. Cameras cut to Taylor Swift and his mother, Donna, repeatedly as they watched Travis anxiously from the stands. But the most emblematic of Thursday night was the gutting 20-13 loss that have officially eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention for the first time since Kelce’s second season in the league. As far as head coach’s say on Kelce’s future is concerned, Andy Reid chose reflection over finality.

“We’ll talk another time about all of that,” Reid said.

There is a good chance the 36-year-old won’t be back next season or even for the last game of the regular season against the Las Vegas Raiders. From what one could tell from the last offseason, the 2025 season was going to be his last dance, one last shot at getting the Lombardi Trophy back home, while knowing he is at the end of a two-year, $34.25 million deal with the team. But the Chiefs have since looked a shadow of their former selves. The fact that Patrick Mahomes will be away for a while doesn’t paint a very convincing picture either.

In all seriousness, Kelce did put efforts to find that old spark again with his speed, agility, and quickness to brave another season despite considering retirement during the offseason. For instance, he did what he did when he was a younger player: He trained in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with Tony Villani to recapture some of all that he felt he had lost over the past two seasons. It paid off since he outwitted opposing defenses with 426 yards after the catch, third most among tight ends this season. But the dream was certainly way bigger than that.

Travis Kelce has a date in sight before he can take the final call

For those wondering, Kelce has already intimated a month ago that he plans to announce the final decision on his retirement by early March, before NFL free agency begins. Until that happens, the Amazon’s Prime Video interview that was aired on Christmas Day may ready you for his state of mind at the moment.

“I think I’m still searching for those answers,” the tight end said when pressed on his looming decision in his interview with Tony Gonzalez. “Obviously, the way this one ended with a sour taste in my mouth. I feel motivated, but I’ve got to make the right decision for me.”

As of now, there is no confirmation whether or not he will play the Week 18 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. But should he come back, if the version of Kelce we saw this season is the one that returns, the answer may not be so encouraging:

Top Stories

Sean Payton Announces Retirement Plans as Broncos HC Demands Improvement From Bo Nix & Co. Before Playoffs

Dez Bryant Unloads on Jerry Jones & Cowboys Over ‘Blackmailing,’ Defends Micah Parsons in Negotiations

Philip Rivers Announces Retirement Decision After Colts Benched 44-YO QB

Sean McDermott Announces Bad News for Bills After Massive Update on Josh Allen’s Injury

Former Packers QB Makes Decision on Shark Tank’s Offer for His $850K Business

• Think about the Texans game. The Chiefs were down seven with under five minutes to go. Patrick Mahomes went to Kelce twice, like he always has. Both throws found him. Neither helped.
• Against Washington in Week 8, a routine third-and-four slipped through Kelce’s hands and landed with linebacker Bobby Wagner.
• Back in Week 2 against Philadelphia, a would-be touchdown bounced off Kelce and turned into an interception for Andrew Mukuba.

In the end, this is what this is going to come down to: the motivation is there but whether it will be physically possible for him to come out better than what we saw this year. If not, the answer might already be staring at him.