Travis Kelce might need some time to realize it, but his Kansas City Chiefs teammate Chris Jones insists the tight end will not be retiring in 2026.
The 36-year-old Kelce’s contract ends with the conclusion of the 2025 season, which saw the Chiefs fail to make the playoffs and end with a six-game losing streak that culminated in a loss to the worst team in the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders, on Sunday.
But while the team were awful, Kelce himself had a season to be proud of on an individual level. He ended with 851 yards and five touchdowns, in the process becoming only the third tight end in NFL history to pass 13,000 yards for his career.
And that is why his close friend, defensive tackle Jones, thinks Kelce will play on for another year at least.
‘I’m not buying it. He’ll be back next year,’ Jones said of the growing Kelce retirement talk.
‘I can’t promise you anything about another man, but this year was a tricky year for us. I got faith in my dog coming back.
Travis Kelce will be back for the Kansas City Chiefs next year, Chris Jones has insisted
The Chiefs defensive tackle was insistent that Kelce will play on for at least another year
‘He brings a lot of energy, a lot of passion to the game. One of the best tight ends to ever play the game, if not the best tight end to ever play the game. I have so much respect and love for him.’
Jones also spoke about the first time he met Kelce, after the Chiefs drafted the defensive tackle in the second round 2016.
‘He was just catching everything. He was dancing to everything also,’ Jones said.
‘It’s always been a fun, energetic individual who brings the energy, gives the group fire to keep on that. So, I just pray that this isn’t my dog’s last time.’
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was more coy over what comes next for Kelce, simply telling reporters: ‘We’ll just see where it goes. We really haven’t gone through that. So, we’ll see where it all goes from here.’
Speaking in the locker room after the game, Kelce offered no clues as to where his mind was at and repeated his stance of taking time to reach a decision.
‘First things first, I just love this team. I’m proud of the way we finished this, even though it ended the way it did,’ Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl winner, said.
‘Who knows? Either it hits me quick or I’ve got to take some time. Last year was a little bit easier. I think I knew right away I wanted to give this one a shot. I don’t know. We’ll see.’
Kelce and Jones celebrate winning the 2023 Super Bowl together during happier times
He added: ‘The ball just didn’t go our way in a lot of those close games unfortunately and I think if I do choose to come back that’s something I’ve really got to focus on, making sure I’m available and ready for those moments.’
Kelce also goes into the offseason planning his massively high-profile wedding to Taylor Swift, believed to be scheduled for June 13 in Rhode Island.
Swift was not believed to be at the Raiders game on Sunday – she hasn’t attended a game outside of Kansas City, other than a Super Bowl, in almost two years. If she had made the trip to Vegas, it may have been a bigger sign that Kelce is calling it a day.
The Chiefs’ six-game losing slide also means they will pick at No 9 in the NFL Draft in April.
