The regular season ended in silence, not celebration, for Kansas City. And with it came the question the NFL will debate until a decision lands: is the game’s most decorated tight end ready to walk away, or is there one more run left in him?

That tight end is Travis Kelce. After a 6-11 season — the Chiefs’ first playoff miss since 2014 — the 36-year-old completed his final game of 2025 amid rising retirement talk and a very real pull from television. Media insider Andrew Marchand has already suggested Kelce could “definitely” move to TV and command a contract in the $10–20 million range if he steps off the field.

Kelce is not rushing a verdict. “Either it hits me quick, or I’ve got to take some time,” he said, adding that he plans to go through exit meetings and huddle with family before deciding. It’s measured, it’s calm — and it leaves Kansas City waiting.

Travis Kelce retirement talk intensifies after Chiefs’ 6-11 season

Kansas City’s year ended with a 14-12 loss to the Raiders in Week 18, capping a season that broke the franchise’s decade-long streak of January football. Through it all, Kelce was still the constant. He led Chiefs skill players with an 81% offensive snap share and put up 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns.

Measured against his own high bar, those numbers feel modest. Measured against the league, they still stand up: Kelce finished fourth among tight ends in receiving yards, sixth in catches, and 13th in touchdowns. He was the engine of an offense that too often sputtered without its usual balance.

“If he walks now, he still left as the bar for TEs.”

$10–20 million on TV? Why the broadcast buzz won’t fade

The broadcasting speculation isn’t just idle chatter. Marchand’s on-record view that Kelce could “definitely” make the switch — and do so at $10–20 million per year — reflects how networks value a proven star who can communicate, entertain, and explain the game in plain language. That salary range puts him in the same neighborhood as the NFL’s biggest on-air names.

The timing also lines up. Kelce is a free agent for 2026. If he retires now, he’s available right as networks shape their fall lineups. If he returns for one more season, the TV door should still be open later. Either path holds leverage.

“Either it hits me quick…”: Kelce’s own timeline

Kelce didn’t hint at a decision in the immediate aftermath. He talked about decompressing, “spend[ing] some time with them,” and taking stock after exit meetings. That patience matches the weight of the choice. He considered retirement after last season’s Super Bowl LIX loss, then came back. This time, the team’s struggles make the calculus different.

There’s also life outside football. Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl champion, is engaged to Taylor Swift, with a June wedding planned. That doesn’t dictate a football decision, but it does frame a new season of life he’s about to enter.

“Let him rest. After that grind, clarity beats speed.”

Contract stakes: Free agency in 2026 gives Kelce options

Because Kelce completed the final year of his deal in 2025, the clock is ticking in multiple directions. If he returns, he can re-sign in Kansas City or explore the market for the first time in his career. If he retires, the Chiefs must retool the position immediately while keeping cap flexibility for 2026.

Either way, Kansas City needs a clear plan at tight end. Kelce still carried the heaviest load among the skill group in snaps this season, and replacing that reliability is not simple. Few teams find that answer overnight.

Locker room belief, and Andy Reid’s view

Inside the building, there’s faith he will be back. “I’m not buying it… He’ll be back next year,” star defensive tackle Chris Jones said. Head coach Andy Reid offered a personal opinion on a potential 2026 retirement scenario, though details were limited. It’s fair to read that as respect for Kelce’s process. Public pressure isn’t helpful here.

How the 2025 context shaped the question

The Chiefs’ 6-11 record was not just a stat line; it was a grind. Patrick Mahomes’ torn ACL reset the offense, and the margins grew thin. Kelce’s dependable targets and chain-moving routes were essential, but the team lacked its usual firepower and rhythm. That can weigh on a veteran’s mind when thinking about one more year.

Yet even in a down season for Kansas City, Kelce’s impact stayed real and measurable. Being fourth among tight ends in yards and sixth in catches at 36 is not routine. It’s the sign of a player who still finds answers when coverage tightens and bodies ache.

“June wedding, July camp? That’s a life crossroad if ever.”

Legacy secured, decision pending

Retire now and Kelce leaves as a three-time champion, a positional standard-setter, and an all-time playoff performer. Return, and he chases one more postseason with a locker room that still believes in him. Either route is strong; neither is simple.

The TV talk will hum until he answers. A $10–20 million projection is not noise — it’s proof that the game he taught on Sundays can be the game he teaches on screens. Still, there’s a difference between having a second act lined up and being ready to take it.

What comes next for Kelce and the Chiefs

In the short term, Kelce will meet with coaches, spend time with family, and let the decision “hit” when it’s ready. For the Chiefs, the offseason starts with contingency planning at tight end and an eye on Mahomes’ recovery timeline. Everything else — including the biggest question of all — rests with No. 87.

The ending of the 2025 season wasn’t the one Kansas City expected. What happens next, though, could define not only the franchise’s 2026 path but also how one of the greats chooses to close his football story.