After the season, Travis Kelce intends to make a retirement decision and wants to give the Chiefs time to get ready.

On Sunday, November 16, 2025, in Denver, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Travis Kelce, a four-time All-Pro tight end, stated on Friday that he wants to decide on retirement as soon as possible so the Kansas City Chiefs have time to get ready for the future, but he intends to hold off until after the season.

The start of free agency and the official start of the new league year occur on March 11. However, in the days preceding that date, teams can hold conversations with prospective free agents and will have been preparing for the April draft.

After 13 seasons with the Eagles, his brother Jason Kelce retired, and Kelce expressed gratitude for that. On March 4, 2024, the elder Kelce made the announcement, giving them plenty of time to prepare their roster for the previous campaign.

"I'm not sure how the league operates, but watching my brother go through it... After the last practice for Sunday's game against the Colts, Travis Kelce stated, "I want to give the Chiefs a good opportunity, whether I come back or not, and vice versa."

Kelce went on, "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." That's all going to happen after the season. Until then, I won't give it any thought.

After the Chiefs' Super Bowl loss to the Eagles in February, several speculated that 10-time Pro Bowl pick Kelce may retire. However, he promptly declared that he would return, and during the previous winter, he worked to improve his physical condition.

It has also paid off. Kelce, who is 36 years old, has already caught 50 passes for 631 yards and four touchdowns.

After the Chiefs' Super Bowl loss to the Eagles in February, several speculated that 10-time Pro Bowl pick Kelce may retire. However, he promptly declared that he would return, and during the previous winter, he worked to improve his physical condition.

It has also paid off. Kelce, who is 36 years old, has already caught 50 passes for 631 yards and four touchdowns.

Kelce's choice may also be influenced by the Chiefs' performance for the remainder of the season. He claimed that the overwhelming Super Bowl defeat to the Eagles left him with a bad taste in his mouth, but this season has been even worse. The Colts, who lead the AFC South, will visit Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, and the Chiefs, who are presently 5-5, are not in the running for the AFC playoffs.

"I don't think it requires effort. "It's all about execution," Kelce remarked. "We work tirelessly every day to attempt to rectify it. From the coaches, you sense it. They're tightening things up a bit so we can concentrate on those specifics and play quickly and purposefully.

Aside from the record, Kelce described this year's team chemistry as "one of the most fun teams I've been on in a while."

"Every day we enter this building, I get excited," he continued. "It's still possible. Man, I'm fighting. I believe that this season is unlike any other we've experienced in a long time. Having said that, I enjoy the fact that each day presents a fresh challenge.