The Kansas City Chiefs have been eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in a decade, but with two games still left on the schedule, Travis Kelce says his attention is on finishing strong — even as injuries have left the team short at quarterback.
Those final two contests could also carry extra weight. Kelce, now 36, is weighing retirement while also set to enter unrestricted free agency this offseason, making it possible the next two weeks are his final stretch in the NFL.
Even with his numbers down from his peak seasons, Kelce remains among the league’s most productive tight ends. He has 68 receptions for 803 yards and five touchdowns, and he added another milestone to his résumé as the Chiefs prepared for their Week 17 Christmas Day matchup against the Denver Broncos.
Kelce caught just one pass in last Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans — but it was enough to move him into rare company. With his season total now over 800 receiving yards, Kelce tied Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for 12 consecutive seasons with at least 800 receiving yards. They’re the only two players in NFL history to reach that mark.
Now in his 13th season, Kelce has become one of the NFL’s most recognizable stars since arriving from the University of Cincinnati, where he briefly overlapped with his older brother, Jason Kelce, who retired after the 2023 season.
For now, Kelce has stressed that he hasn’t made any final decision about his future. His focus, he has said, remains on the final two games — including Thursday night, which could end up being his last appearance at Arrowhead Stadium if he ultimately decides to step away.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, asked this week about Kelce’s impact, pointed to both his on-field presence and what he represents beyond football.
“He’s everything you want from a player representing an organization,” Reid said. “A phenomenal person, great for the community.”
