Kansas City Chiefs pay tribute to Travis Kelce before what could be his last game at Arrowhead
Travis Kelce’s coaches and teammates have paid emotional tributes to the Chiefs tight end ahead of his potential final game at Arrowhead Stadium.
Speculation is reaching fever pitch that the legendary tight end will hang up his cleats at the end of the season, following a grueling and disappointing year for Kansas City.
The Chiefs have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 2014, with the final blow coming in a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Off the field, Kelce will also be busy preparing for a mega-wedding to pop star Taylor Swift, scheduled for next summer, while also tending to his podcast ‘New Heights’.
With all of this in mind, there are concerns that Kelce could walk away from the sport at the end of the season and, ahead of their game against the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day, his teammates and coaches have paid tribute.
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.
There are fears that Travis Kelce could be set to play his final ever game at Arrowhead Stadium
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
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.
‘Great for the community. Has been great for the community. He’s everything you want from a player representing an organization.’
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.’
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’.
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.
Head coach Andy Reid labelled Kelce a ‘phenomenal person’ when reflecting on his career
Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and defensive tackle Chris Jones also spoke on Kelce
Kelce pictured interacting with fans inside Arrowhead after their recent loss to the Chargers
‘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’.
‘They’re handling it like true pros and I’ll always remember that,’ he added.
The tributes come as Kelce continues to dodge questions regarding his NFL future.
The star tight end 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.’
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 4th.
Across 15 games this season, Kelce has hauled in 803 yards and five touchdowns
The Chiefs recently announced plans to leave Arrowhead by the 2031 NFL season
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.
