Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is keeping the spotlight on his team as the NFL season winds down, choosing not to address questions about potential retirement. Speaking at a press conference on December 19, 2025, Kelce emphasized that his priority is finishing the season strong despite the Chiefs being eliminated from playoff contention.

Kelce Focuses on Team, Not Retirement

With the Chiefs’ playoff hopes dashed following a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, reporters asked Kelce whether he had made a decision about retiring after 13 NFL seasons. The 36-year-old star declined to answer, stressing that he wants the focus to remain on the team.

“I’d rather keep the focus of the media and everything on this team, right now. All the conversations I have with the team moving forward will be with them,” Kelce said.

He added that this is a “unique time” in his life, noting that the final three games of the season are all he has left under his current contract.

“Unfortunately, I’ve got three games left, and I know when the season ends this year,” Kelce explained.

Adapting After Key Injuries

The Chiefs will enter the final games of the season—against the Titans, Broncos, and Raiders—without superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who suffered a torn ACL on December 14 and underwent surgery the following day.

Kelce reflected on Mahomes’ injury during the December 17 episode of his New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother Jason Kelce:

“Obviously, we lost our quarterback, man. Patty Mahomes, our guy, our brother, our fearless leader… It was almost like it wasn’t real. And s— just sucks, man.”

Despite the setback, Kelce remains committed to giving his all for the remaining games, demonstrating his leadership and dedication to the team.

Looking Ahead to the Final Games

Kelce also highlighted a unique aspect of this season: knowing exactly when the team’s final game will be.

“Typically, you go into the postseason not knowing when your last game is. But for the first time in 10 years, we know our final game is on Jan. 4. And that’s the beauty of it,” he said.

Even with playoff elimination and a challenging final stretch, Kelce insists his focus remains on winning and supporting his teammates until the season officially ends.