The Kansas City Chiefs fell 20-13 to the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day, leaving more than a score on the scoreboard as fans and reporters turned their attention to veteran tight end Travis Kelce and the possibility of his retirement.
Game Recap
The matchup, played at Arrowhead Stadium, ended in a 20-13 loss for the Chiefs. It was the team’s fifth consecutive defeat and their first season without a playoff appearance since 2014.
Kelce’s Retirement Rumors
After the loss, Kelce was asked whether he had ever considered that the game might be his final home appearance with the Chiefs. He replied with a joke about the Powerball, saying, “No, the only time it ever crossed my mind is I was driving in the other day, and I saw how much the Powerball was. I was like, ‘Man, if I could just win that, I wouldn’t have to work another day in my life'”.
Kelce then shifted to a more serious tone, stating, “Honestly, I’ve just been focused on trying to win football games, man,” and added that the decision about retirement would involve his family, friends, and the Chiefs organization.
Career Highlights
Kelce, 36, was a third-round pick by Kansas City in the 2013 NFL Draft. He has become one of the franchise’s most prolific players, holding the Chiefs’ all-time record for most receiving yards and most touchdown catches, and ranking third in the NFL for tight ends in receiving yards. He is a three-time Super Bowl champion, a seven-time All-Pro, and has been selected to the Pro Bowl every year since 2015. This season he led all players in fan votes.
Team Context
The Chiefs are currently 6-10, and their star quarterback Patrick Mahomes is sidelined with injury. The team’s five straight losses have pushed them into a position where they will not qualify for the playoffs, a first since the 2014 season.
Kelce’s Future Outlook
In a Prime Video interview, Kelce spoke with former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez about his future, saying, “I think I’m still searching for those answers,” and added that the season’s ending left him with a sour taste but also motivation. He emphasized that he would need the Chiefs to be willing to bring him back, making the decision a two-way street.
Kelce also noted, “I still have a lot of love for this game,” and that if he chose to return, it would be to answer the flame in his heart that still loves the sport.
The Chiefs will finish the season with a game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Jan. 4, though the exact time has not yet been announced.
Key Takeaways
- Chiefs lost 20-13 to Broncos on Christmas Day, ending a five-game losing streak.
- Travis Kelce, 36, is contemplating retirement but has not made a final decision.
- The team sits at 6-10, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
As the Chiefs close out a challenging season, the spotlight remains on whether Kelce will lace up for the final home game and how the franchise will navigate the remainder of the year without its star tight end and a healthy quarterback.
