Travis Kelce’s Future: Retirement Speculation Mounts as Chiefs’ Season Ends
The Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff aspirations have been dashed, leaving a significant question looming over the franchise: Will star tight end Travis Kelce hang up his cleats after this season? The team’s Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers officially eliminated them from postseason contention, amplifying discussions about the future of one of the league’s most prominent players.
Adding fuel to the retirement speculation is the perspective offered by Kelce’s brother, Jason Kelce, a recently retired former center for the Philadelphia Eagles. During a pregame segment for ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” on December 15th, Jason shared his thoughts on how Travis might approach such a monumental decision.
“In my opinion, to nail that decision, you gotta step away from the game for a little bit,” Jason advised. “Play these last three games, enjoy them with your teammates, enjoy them with your coaches. The team’s going to be different no matter whether you come back or not next year. So enjoy these last three games.”
He elaborated on the emotional toll of concluding a season, particularly one as unpredictable as the Chiefs’ current campaign. “And then let it sink in. It will come to you with time. There’s so many emotions with this game, right after a season. Especially with the way this one’s been – it’s been so up-and-down … Right now, it’s just too fresh. You gotta step away from it, you gotta think about it, and then it’ll come to you.”
Travis Kelce is currently 36 years old, the same age his brother Jason was when he made the decision to retire following the 2023 NFL season. The Chiefs have navigated a challenging and inconsistent year, a situation that mirrors the circumstances surrounding Jason’s final season with the Eagles, which also concluded with disappointment.
Furthermore, Travis Kelce’s current contract with the Chiefs is set to expire after the 2025 season. This mirrors Jason’s contract situation with the Eagles, which concluded after the 2023 season. As the Chiefs face the prospect of missing the playoffs for only the second time in Travis’s illustrious career, the team will undoubtedly face difficult decisions regarding its roster and future direction.
The Kelce brothers, known for their popular podcast, are slated to release their next episode on December 17th, marking their first discussion since the Chiefs’ playoff elimination. This episode is expected to offer further insights into Travis’s mindset and any potential clarity on his future plans.
Travis Kelce’s Current Season Performance
Despite the team’s struggles and the looming questions about his future, Travis Kelce’s individual performance this season has remained impressive. While he is currently averaging the lowest number of receptions per game since 2015, his yards per game have seen a slight increase compared to his overall average in the 2024 season. Through 15 weeks, Kelce is also ranked as the second-highest-scoring tight end in fantasy football, underscoring his continued impact on the field.
Here’s a snapshot of Kelce’s statistics in his 13th NFL season:
- Targets: 92
- Receptions: 67
- Receiving Yards: 797
- Yards per Reception: 11.9
- Touchdowns: 7
Kelce is on track to potentially earn his 11th consecutive Pro Bowl selection in 2025. However, with the Chiefs’ elimination from playoff contention in Week 15, his pursuit of a fourth Super Bowl ring has been put on hold.
Understanding Travis Kelce’s Contract
Travis Kelce is currently playing in the second and final year of a two-year contract extension he renegotiated and signed in April 2024. This restructured deal increased the average annual value (AAV) of his contract to $17.125 million, a significant jump from the $14.3 million AAV of his original four-year deal signed in 2020.
At the time of signing his 2024 extension, Kelce was the highest-paid tight end in NFL history. Currently, he ranks third among tight ends in AAV, trailing George Kittle and Trey McBride.
- Contract Length: Two years
- Total Value: $34.25 million
- Average Annual Value (AAV): $17.13 million
Financial Outlook: Travis Kelce’s Net Worth
While specific figures for Travis Kelce’s net worth in 2025 are not yet publicly available from reputable sources, his financial standing is substantial. Over his 13-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce has accumulated earnings exceeding $111 million. This figure highlights his significant financial success and the considerable value he has brought to the organization throughout his tenure.
