Chiefs React to Travis Kelce Development After Playoff Elimination

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Dec 23, 2025 9:48 AM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 season has unraveled on multiple fronts. After years of sustained success, the Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention following a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a game in which star quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL late in the contest, officially ending his season.

With Mahomes sidelined, the Chiefs turned to backup Gardner Minshew in Week 16, but he exited early with a left knee injury during a 26-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans, marking Kansas City’s fourth consecutive defeat. Tests later showed Minshew avoided a torn ACL but his knee injury was significant enough that he was placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Amid Kansas City’s struggles, tight end Travis Kelce’s future has become a growing topic of discussion. The 36-year-old veteran is in the final year of his contract, and with the Chiefs’ postseason hopes over, speculation about whether he will retire after the season has intensified.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87)Amy Kontras-Imagn Images

Kelce’s production this year has reflected the team’s broader struggles. Through 15 games, he has recorded 68 catches for 803 yards and five touchdowns, respectable numbers, but well below his usual All-Pro standards.

Even in a down year for Kansas City, Kelce’s popularity with fans has not waned. The NFL announced Monday that Kelce led all players in fan voting for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, topping the list with 420,383 total fan votes. This marks the second consecutive season Kelce achieves this feat.

Following the news, the Chiefs celebrated the achievement on Tuesday, thanking fans for their support:

"For the second consecutive year, @tkelce led all players in fan votes for the Pro Bowl! Thank you, Chiefs Kingdom ❤️."

For the second consecutive year, @tkelce led all players in fan votes for the Pro Bowl!

Thank you, Chiefs Kingdom ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7C6Y341O0h
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 23, 2025

If selected, this will mark Kelce’s 11th straight Pro Bowl appearance, a streak that began with his first selection in 2015. Over the course of his career, Kelce has helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowls and has been named to seven All-Pro teams, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.

Whether Kelce’s 2025 campaign will be his last remains uncertain. He has indicated he will give everything he has left for the final games of the season, leaving his future beyond the year open as Kansas City turns toward the offseason.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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