Travis Kelce addresses retirement decision in emotional pregame interview ahead of potential last dance at Arrowhead
Travis Kelce refused to rule out the possibility of retiring at the end of this NFL season ahead of what could be his final ever Kansas City Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kelce and his teammates look to spread the Christmas cheer to Chiefs Kingdom when they suit up against the Denver Broncos in a festive divisional matchup on the holiday.
The Chiefs have nothing to play for, having already been eliminated from playoff contention two weeks ago against the Los Angeles Chargers.
But the AFC West showdown still carries great significance amid heavy speculation that the legendary tight end could be gearing up to bring the curtain down on his glittering career.
The festive fixture marks Kansas City’s final regular season game of the 2025 campaign at Arrowhead Stadium and, should Kelce ultimately decide to hang his cleats up, the last of his career.
Ahead of the Christmas Day game, Kelce sat down with fellow Chiefs legend Tony Gonzalez as he finally addresses the elephant in the room in an emotionally-charged interview.
Travis Kelce may have played his final game at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas Day
‘I think I’m still searching for those answers,’ Kelce said when pressed on his looming decision. ‘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 myself.’
However, the three-time Super Bowl winner didn’t fully close the door on the possibility of returning for one more season.
‘Just the fact that when I know it’s over, it’s over,’ he added when Gonzalez questioned what he would be returning for.
‘I still have a lot of love for this game. If I came back it would be just to answer that flame in my heart for this thing.’
Kelce continued: ‘If it was just Sundays, I think I could play until I’m 50 but obviously there is so much that goes into it.’
Led by third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun, Kelce and co will still look to deliver a gift to the fans spending their Christmas at Arrowhead, including his megastar fiancee Taylor Swift.
Shunning his usual flair for fashion, the tight end kept it simple as he strutted into Arrowhead in black jeans and grey duster.
He added a pop of festivity with a red Chiefs hoodie, pulling back the lapels of his long coat to show off the team’s name emblazoned across the front.
There are fears that Kelce could be set to play his final ever game at Arrowhead Stadium
The Kansas City icon topped off the look with a pair of black sunglasses.
Kelce’s festive football duties come as a blow to his pop sensation partner, who will have to delay their celebrations until after the game, which kicks off at 8:15pm ET.
Yet, unlike on Thanksgiving when the loved-up pair were forced to spend the holiday apart due to the Chiefs’ hectic schedule, they are expected to celebrate their first Christmas as an engaged couple together.
Swift, who announced her engagement to the tight end in August, is expected to be in the stands for the matchup, according to reports.
The songstress has only attended Chiefs home games this season, and even then, she has made reserved, secretive appearances in comparison to the past two years.
The Fate of Ophelia hitmaker has made discreet entrances into the Chiefs’ home amid security concerns, often entering the stadium behind a screen.
If she is in attendance, Swift will watch on as her NFL beau makes potentially one of his most emotional on-field appearances of his career.
The clash with the Broncos, who have already clinched their spot in the playoffs and sit atop of the AFC West, marks the final regular season game of the 2025 campaign at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kelce pictured interacting with fans inside Arrowhead after their recent loss to the Chargers
Head coach Andy Reid labelled Kelce a ‘phenomenal person’ when reflecting on his career
‘Great for the community. Has been great for the community. He’s everything you want from a player representing an organization.’
And it could be his last home game ever, as rumors about his potential retirement following the Chiefs’ elimination from the playoff contention.
Head coach Andy Reid admitted that he was unsure whether it would be Kelce’s final game at Arrowhead but still took time to heap praise on the ‘phenomenal’ tight end.
Speaking to reporters, Reid said: ‘I don’t know if it is or not. I haven’t talked to him, but his numbers and personality speak for themselves. Phenomenal person.
Meanwhile, a despondent Chris Jones, the Chiefs defensive tackle, said: ‘Ah, man, it’s sad… I hope it isn’t his last ride, but if it is, I tip my hat off to him. Hell of a career.’
Kelce’s coaches and teammates joined Coach Reid in paying emotional tributes to the Chiefs tight end earlier this week.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy echoed those sentiments when speaking to the media, reflecting on Kelce’s arrival in Kansas City over a decade ago.
‘Well, I go back to 2013 when he first got here and I just think back,’ Nagy said. ‘What Travis has done to his organization, his teammates, coaches, to this city – it’s special’.
The Chiefs star, pictured with fiancee Taylor Swift at Arrowhead back in January, has refused to deny retirement rumors amid the Chiefs’ struggling form during the 2025 season
‘I know personally I don’t ever want to take it for granted,’ Nagy continued. ‘I hope that’s not true. I’d like to see him play more’.
Nagy emphasized that even with the season lost, Kelce’s dedication to the team has not wavered.
‘We’re out of the playoffs mathematically,’ Nagy said . ‘We’re out and he’s here every day at practice leading, helping people out, fighting his ass off on game day’.
The coach noted that Kelce’s ‘savvy’ and mental toughness have been vital during one of the franchise’s most difficult stretches.
‘They’re handling it like true pros and I’ll always remember that,’ he added.
The three-time Super Bowl winner recently refused to deny retirement rumors and admitted to ignoring the media following a string of recent defeats.
Last week, he said: ‘I think I would rather just keep the focus of the media and everything on this team right now and all the conversations I have with the team and everything moving forward will be with them.
‘I think it’s a unique time in my life and unfortunately I got three games left and I know when the season ends this year, typically we go into it and we don’t know when it’s gonna end and that’s the beauty of it.’
Across 15 games this season, Kelce has hauled in 803 yards and five touchdowns
Kelce added that he’s: ‘Just trying to make sure that everyone here knows I’m focused on trying to win football games these last three games.’
Though the Christmas fixture against the Broncos could be his final at Arrowhead, he will still be set for a final outing against the Raiders, in Las Vegas, on January 4.
Across 15 games this season, Kelce has hauled in 803 yards and five touchdowns.
Kelce will be looking to surpass his career-low mark of 823 yards from last season but may struggle given the current quarterback injury crisis the Chiefs are enduring.
While he should pass those 823 yards, Kelce could finish with fewer than 90 catches on the season for the first time since 2017 – his fifth season in the league.
As it stands, the tight end has 68 receptions. He would need to average 7.6 catches per game in his final two contests to pass 90 catches on the year.
However, he’s only hauled in at least seven receptions in three games this season.
If January 4 does prove to be his final rodeo, Kelce will hang up his cleats and turn his attention to planning his blockbuster nuptials to Swift with the wedding expected to take place next summer.
