Retirement era? Chiefs TE Travis Kelce not talking '26

Contractually speaking, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is tied to Kansas City for only seven more games.

The 36-year-old kept the door ajar to a possible 14th NFL season in 2026, and based on his production -- 50 receptions for 631 yards and four touchdowns -- Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid appear unlikely to lock it when the 2025 season ends.

But Kelce knows the painstaking process took a lot of out his older brother, Jason, who retired from the Philadelphia Eagles before the 2024 season.

With that in mind, Travis Kelce said Friday that he has every intention of telling the Chiefs his plans before free agency begins in March.

"I want to give the Chiefs a good opportunity, whether I come back or not -- or whether they want me back or not. I'd like to make that decision before they've got to get draft picks and free agency opens to fill the roster appropriately," he said.

"All that will be at the end of the season. I won't be thinking about it until then."

Kelce turned 36 in October and was determined to give Kansas City another productive season after falling short of his own standard in 2024.

Entering Sunday's game against the Colts, Kelce leads the Chiefs in catches, yards and TD catches. He scored his 84th career touchdown during last week's loss to the Denver Broncos to break Priest Holmes' franchise mark.

"He's done a heck of a job," Reid said. "He worked like crazy in the offseason to get himself in tip-top shape, which you have to do when you start reaching an older age. You've got to work a little bit extra, and he did that. It's paying off for him."

--Field Level Media