Kansas City Chiefs fans will not have to wait as long as they did this past offseason to find out if tight end Travis Kelce will continue his NFL career or ride off into retirement with his sweetheart, Taylor Swift. Kelce told reporters Friday he will make his decision after the 2025-26 season concludes, but before free agency kicks off on March 11.
"I want to give the Chiefs a good opportunity, whether I come back or not, and vice versa," he said. "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. All of that will be after the season. I won't think about it until then."
It's a slight change in tune from his drawn out decision-making process this past spring. Kelce took several weeks after losing Super Bowl LIX in February to milk the fate of his career with teases on his podcast with his brother, Jason. He only told Kansas City what his intentions were after the team drew a line in the sand.
Travis Kelce says he wants to make a decision on coming back in 2026 before the beginning of the new league year in mid-March so the Chiefs have a good idea of his plans before free agency and the draft in April. pic.twitter.com/eNUYkipXSa
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) November 21, 2025
Travis Kelce finally gets it, the team comes first even during his potential swan song
Kelce's comments indicate he learned his lesson from the very public nature of his last offseason decision. The 36-year-old understands that Kansas City needs every administrative advantage it can get to reload after what looks like it will be a disappointing season.
The Chiefs are 5-5 with a relatively tough schedule remaining. Currently outside the playoff picture, Kansas City would need a Hail Mary run to even threaten a Super Bowl return — but we've seen Patrick Mahomes and Co. do crazier things.
If Kansas City does fail to return to the Super Bowl — or the playoffs for that matter — general manager Brett Veach will need to consider seriously reloading on offense, which would involve getting younger in key positions like tight end.
Kelce being aware of this and making a decision on retirement sooner than later will give Veach that flexibility to scout and draft Kelce's eventual successor. It's exactly the kind of leadership a team legend and future Hall of Famer should exemplify.
His 631 yards and four touchdowns aren't an indication he's slowing down by any means, but he's certainly not going to be putting up any career numbers. If he's recognizing he's nearing the end or simply just wants to enjoy life with his soon-to-be wife, good on him for understanding the business side of the game rather than dragging out his veiled farewell tour.