As the Kansas City Chiefs sit outside the playoff picture heading into Week 12, veteran tight end Travis Kelce is opening up about his football future — but says he won’t make any decisions until the season ends.

Kelce, 36, spoke to reporters on Nov. 21 about the growing speculation surrounding whether he will retire or return for a 14th NFL season. The three-time Super Bowl champion said he understands that his decision affects the entire organization, especially as the team evaluates upcoming draft and free-agency plans.

Kelce Says He’ll Decide After the Season Ends

Kelce began by referencing his brother Jason Kelce’s retirement from the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2024 — a moment he said gave him perspective on how emotional and complex the decision can be.

“Seeing my brother go through it and seeing how the league works, the season basically restarts in April,” Kelce said. “I want to give the Chiefs a good opportunity to know whether I come back or not.”

He added that the decision goes both ways: “Whether they want me back or not, it’s one of those things where I’d like to make that decision before they’ve got to get draft picks and free agency opens up.”

Kelce emphasized that he wants the team to have clarity so they can properly plan their roster for next year. “I won’t be thinking about it until the end of the season,” he said.

Chiefs Facing Challenges, But Kelce Says Team Chemistry Is ‘Fun’

With Kansas City sitting at 5–5 after a loss to the Denver Broncos on Nov. 16, Kelce insisted he’s staying focused on the weekly challenges of the season.

“I’m enjoying the challenge,” he said. “Every single day is a new challenge and I love that.”

Despite the rough start, Kelce said the locker room energy has been one of the highlights of the year. “The chemistry of this team is the most fun I’ve been on in awhile,” he told reporters.

Kelce Breaks Franchise Touchdown Record — But Isn’t Celebrating Yet

During the Chiefs’ loss to Denver, Kelce made franchise history by surpassing Priest Holmes’ touchdown record after scoring on a short pass from Patrick Mahomes that turned into a 21-yard run.

But Kelce said the milestone didn’t matter much in the moment.

“If you’re going to ask me about the record, I could care less about that right now,” he said after the game, keeping the focus on the team’s overall performance.

As the Chiefs prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts, Kelce remains committed to helping the team turn things around — while leaving any talk of retirement or contract decisions for the offseason.