Should Chiefs' Travis Kelce retire? Analyst says it's 'understandable'

Adam Schultz

•
Should Chiefs' Travis Kelce retire? Analyst says it's 'understandable' image

Patrick Mahomes' ACL injury has taken all the news for the Kansas City Chiefs over the past 24 hours, and rightly so.

But with the franchise not in the playoffs for the first time in his tenure, there will be conversations about the futures of several star players.

One is tight end Travis Kelce.

He was on the fence about returning last year, and now that Patrick will be out (we think) for a portion of 2026, and we add on another year of wear and tear, could the future Hall of Famer retire after the season has concluded?

CBS Sports' Jared Dubin thinks it's a possibility.

"Kelce turned 36 in October," Dubin writes. "His contract is up at the end of the season. He's planning a wedding to one of the most famous people on the planet. Not having the chance to make a playoff run in his final act would sting, but it'd also be understandable if he decided to hang up his spikes and if the Week 18 game against the Raiders is the last time we see him in a Chiefs uniform."

More: ESPN analyst not surprised by rumored timeline return for Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes

Chiefs facing interesting offseason

No doubt there will be changes coming this offseason for the Chiefs, and Kelce's future is likely at the top of the pile.

With Noah Gray as the backup tight end, will Kansas City be content going into 2026 with him as the starter if Travis does hang up the cleats? Possibly.

Other names, such as Kyle Pitts and Isaiah Likely, have been mentioned as possible replacements for Kelce, but both would command a hefty salary.

It is clear that the Chiefs' dynasty has come to an end, and player turnover will be crucial for the franchise to get back on track quickly.

Who stays and who goes will be an interesting storyline to see develop, and Kelce might be the first name on the list to get his future decided.

More Chiefs news:

Editorial Team