Jean Carniel/Reuters; Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Patrick Mahomes Makes Admission on Travis Kelce’s NFL Future

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Dec 8, 2025 6:15 AM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs' NFL playoff chances took a major hit in Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans. At 6-7, the Chiefs no longer control their own postseason destiny. Even if they grab a wild card spot, their nine-season run as AFC West champions is officially over.

Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a disappointing performance. He completed 14-of-33 passes for 160 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions. The last of the three picks bounced off the hands of tight end Travis Kelce, who finished the game with one reception for eight yards with his fiancee, Taylor Swift, in attendance.

After the loss, Mahomes faced big questions about the future of the Chiefs beyond just their dwindling hopes of making it to another Super Bowl.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts to dropping a pass in front of Houston Texans cornerback Myles Bryant (25) during the fourth quarter at Arrowhead Stadium. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

With pressure mounting on head coach Andy Reid and Kelce in his 13th NFL season, there are rumblings that this could be the end of the Kansas City dynasty as we know it. Mahomes acknowledged that reality in his postgame press conference after the loss on "Sunday Night Football."

“Every season I’ve had with (Kelce) these last few years I try to cherish because you never know," Mahomes admitted when asked about the future of his record-breaking tight end.

Patrick Mahomes post game thoughts on Travis Kelce ️

“Every season I’ve had with him these last few years, I try to…I cherish because you never know” #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/MT3faKoKm3
— SleeperChiefs (@SleeperChiefsKC) December 8, 2025

Kelce is in the final season of his two-year contract with the Chiefs and will be a free agent after this season — which looks like it may end sooner than expected.

"He’ll have the option to do whatever he wants to do after the season," Mahomes continued. "I know one thing, is he will give everything he has the rest of the season to try to give us a chance to make a playoff run.”

Patrick Mahomes says Travis Kelce makes that play 99% of the time. Says Kelce is a champion and he could have thrown the ball better in that situation.

“I know we’ll give it everything we have and give ourselves a chance and see what happens.” pic.twitter.com/C9lO88JKMI
— McKenzie Nelson (@McKenzieMNelson) December 8, 2025

At age 36, Kelce is still the most productive pass catcher on the Chiefs' roster. His 60 catches for 727 receiving yards and five touchdowns lead the team (or are tied for the lead) in each category.

The future Hall of Famer already has three rings to his name, and he does not plan on making a retirement decision until the Lombardi Trophy is given out at the end of the 2025 season.

"All of that will be after the season," Kelce said last month about his timeline to decide on his NFL future. "I won't be thinking about it until then."

Mahomes, Kelce and the Chiefs will fight to keep their slim playoff hopes alive in Week 15 when they return to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Los Angeles Chargers.

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

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