Patrick Mahomes’s serious injury and the abrupt end of the season have sparked urgent discussion about the Kansas City Chiefs’ direction, with particular focus on whether Travis Kelce is considering retirement in light of Mahomes’s absence.
After the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15, the tight end declined to address the press, neither confirming nor denying persistent speculation that the 36-year-old will retire, a possibility increasingly at the forefront for the Chiefs.
Cam Newton Gives Strong Opinion on Travis Kelce’s Future
On “ESPN First Take,” Cam Newton emphasized that Kelce’s tenure with the Chiefs may be ending after Mahomes’s ACL injury. If Kelce retires, his recent performance could be viewed as his final major contribution, especially with key players likely to sit out the remainder of the season.
Chiefs’ general manager Brett Veach now faces pivotal decisions regarding Kelce’s role in the franchise, as uncertainty grows after Kelce managed only seven receptions for 70 yards in the critical game against the Chargers.
“I think it’s the worst thing for the football world because nobody likes to see superstars go down like this. … It almost guarantees that Travis Kelce is out of the door, too.”, said Newton.
“I think it’s the worst thing for the football world because nobody likes to see superstars go down like this. … It almost guarantees that Travis Kelce is out of the door, too.”
—@CameronNewton on Patrick Mahomes’ ACL injury pic.twitter.com/y2NQQDMboc
— First Take (@FirstTake) December 15, 2025
The Kelce-Mahomes partnership delivered over 700 passes, 8,000 yards, and 120 touchdowns, leading to three Super Bowl wins. With Mahomes unlikely to return at full strength until late 2026, discussions intensify about how these factors weigh on Kelce’s decision to retire.
An interview from last month continues to fuel suspicions that Kelce, who currently ranks 6th in the PFSN TE Impact metric with a B grade, is prioritizing his personal life with Taylor Swift over his NFL career. The TE had promised to make a decision after the season ended, but fans’ anxiety has increased considerably after the team’s chances of reaching the playoffs were eliminated.
Kyle Pitts Emerges As Possible Replacement in Eventual Departure of Kelce
With Kelce possibly retiring, the Chiefs now may consider signing Kyle Pitts, a TE potentially available in the offseason if he does not extend with the Atlanta Falcons, as they plan for the team’s future. The Falcon’s player has regained his career form and is enjoying his best season since 2021, with 73 receptions for 797 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games this year.
The spotlight on Pitts grew even brighter after his historic performance in Week 15, when the tight end racked up 166 yards and scored three touchdowns in the victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, marking his first game with over 100 receiving yards in nearly five years in the NFL.
