STWF Sports | Dec. 17, 2025 – For the first time in ten years, the NFL postseason will not include the Kansas City Chiefs — a sentence no one expected to write in the Patrick Mahomes–Travis Kelce era. The dynasty that claimed three Super Bowls in six seasons has finally hit a wall, and as the organization grapples with its earliest elimination since 2014, speculation around Kelce’s future has intensified.
Kelce, 36, has remained mostly silent throughout the slide, declining media availability after losses in Week 14 and Week 15. Criticism mounted, especially after he did not address reporters following the Chiefs’ 20–10 defeat to the Houston Texans. He repeated that decision again on Sunday after Kansas City fell 24–17 to the Los Angeles Chargers, officially ending a once-promising season before Christmas.
But silence turned to vulnerability in the latest episode of his New Heights podcast with older brother Jason. Speaking for the first time since the Chiefs’ collapse — and since Mahomes suffered a torn ACL that ended his season — Kelce acknowledged the emotional toll.
“There’s an integrity thing here,” Kelce said, his voice cracking. “When you sign up for the gig, you’re living out your dreams, you’re living out a kid’s dream that never got a chance to do this… man.” The pause said as much as the words. Kansas City’s three-game losing streak didn’t just eliminate them from contention — it shattered the rhythm, identity, and belief that defined the Chiefs for nearly a decade.
Jason Kelce Offers Brotherly Advice
The episode took a reflective turn as the Kelce brothers discussed Travis’ playing future — a topic that has swirled for months, especially as Kelce enters the final season of his two-year, $34.3 million deal. Jason, who retired in 2023 after a Hall of Fame-caliber career with the Philadelphia Eagles, urged his brother to resist making any decisions in the heat of the moment.
“Play these last three games, enjoy them with your teammates, enjoy them with your coaches,” Jason advised. “Then let it sink in. It’ll come to you with time.”
He added that the emotional crash after a disappointing season can distort perspective. “Right now, it’s too fresh. You’ve gotta step away from it, think about it, and then it’ll come to you.”
Though fans have begun to wonder whether Travis — with a thriving media career, national endorsements, and a high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift — might walk away, the All-Pro tight end emphasized that he remains committed to finishing the season the right way.
“There’s only one way I do things,” he said. “If we’re going to go out there and play some football, we are going to do it the right way.”
A Dynasty in Flux, and a Quarterback Lost
The Chiefs’ collapse coincided with Mahomes’ devastating ACL tear — a freak injury occurring during a last-ditch attempt to salvage playoff hopes. Kelce spoke emotionally about the quarterback’s loss.
“He makes the best of this football world by how hard he works,” Kelce said. “S*** just sucks, man. For a guy that puts his body on the line week in, week out… it was almost like it wasn’t real.”
Though Kelce had only one reception for eight yards in that Week 14 loss, Mahomes hinted afterward that his longtime favorite target may not be part of Kansas City’s long-term plans beyond 2025 — adding yet another layer of uncertainty to the franchise’s future.
Comebacks, Curiosities, and Career Crossroads
The conversation took a lighter — yet revealing — turn when Travis asked Jason which retired players might consider an NFL return, citing Philip Rivers’ recent comeback attempt and even Ben Roethlisberger’s comments about being open to a call.
Jason immediately ruled himself out.
“I can’t bend my elbow right now,” he said bluntly. “There’s a piece of cartilage floating in my joint… it’s stuck somewhere. I’m trying to avoid surgery.”
Travis laughed, but the moment underscored the physical realities that aging players face — realities he is confronting himself.
What Comes Next?
Kelce’s future remains unclear. He previously hinted that 2025 could be his final season, but the emotional weight of Kansas City’s collapse may accelerate or delay that decision. With Mahomes sidelined, a playoff streak snapped, and a franchise at a crossroads, Kelce’s next move will be one of the most significant storylines of the NFL offseason.
For now, though, the future Hall of Famer insists on finishing the fight.
“Keep trying to get things fixed,” he said. “End on the highest note we can.”
If this truly is the final chapter of the Chiefs’ golden era, Travis Kelce plans to turn the last page on his own terms.
