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Chiefs' Travis Kelce Predicted to Make Retirement Decision During NFL Offseason

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Feb 13, 2026 8:58 AM ET

Will Travis Kelce continue playing, or will he retire after what is likely a Hall of Fame career? This is one of the major questions of the offseason.

Kelce has had an incredible 13-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He has caught 1,080 passes for 13,002 yards and scored 82 touchdowns. His reception count ranks third all-time for tight ends, behind Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez. In terms of receiving yards, he also holds the third position, trailing only Witten and Gonzalez. Kelce is fifth all-time in touchdowns, following Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham. Additionally, he has won three Super Bowl titles.

This offseason, he is entering free agency, and the big question is whether he will re-sign on what is likely to be a short-term deal or if Patrick Mahomes' favorite target will decide to retire. Fox Sports' Greg Auman predicts that fans may have seen the last of No. 87 on the football field.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87).Denny Medley-Imagn Images

"Kelce, 36, is retiring, right?" Auman wrote. "That's certainly the presumption. He's made 11 straight Pro Bowls, even as his production has dropped off — his targets and catches hit 10-year lows in 2025, and he's totaled 13 touchdowns over the last three seasons. Again, it's OK — he's 36 years old, but you really haven't known Patrick Mahomes without having Kelce to throw to as a core part of their dynastic run over the last decade."

The immediate impact of Kelce’s decision would reshape the Chiefs’ offensive identity. Mahomes has rarely taken a meaningful snap without No. 87 as his security blanket, particularly on third down and in the red zone. If Kelce retires, Kansas City would not only lose production but also a foundational piece of its locker room leadership and postseason poise. The chemistry between Mahomes and Kelce has defined an era, replacing that trust will not be simple.

Zooming out, Kelce’s statistical legacy already cements his place among the greatest tight ends in NFL history. He helped redefine what the modern tight end can be in a spread, pass-heavy offense. Even as his targets and production dipped in 2025, the broader context matters: 13 touchdowns over the past three seasons at age 34–36 is still strong output, but the physical toll of 13 campaigns and deep playoff runs adds up.

Looking ahead, the Chiefs’ offseason program and training camp will provide clarity. If Kelce returns, Kansas City remains built around continuity in its pursuit of another Super Bowl run. If he steps away, the 2026 season opener could mark the first chapter of the post-Kelce era, a transition that signals the closing of one dynasty phase and the beginning of another.