Patrick Mahomes’ torn ACL has reignited the question looming over the Kansas City Chiefs: whether his longtime running mate, All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce, is nearing the end of his NFL career. With Mahomes now sidelined for an extended recovery and the Chiefs missing the postseason for the first time in a decade, the future of one of the league’s most prolific quarterback-tight end partnerships suddenly feels less certain.
Kelce, 36, is in the final year of his contract and has openly acknowledged that retirement has been on his mind throughout his 13th NFL season.
While he declined to speak with reporters after Sunday’s 16–13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, he made his position clear in the locker room: “It’s not the time. I’ll catch you guys during the week.”
The tight end’s quiet exit contrasted with the growing speculation surrounding a duo that has connected on more than 700 passes for over 8,000 yards and in excess of 120 touchdowns — production that helped power Kansas City to three Super Bowl titles and reshape modern NFL offense.
The injury to Mahomes, announced Sunday after an MRI confirmed a season-ending tear in his left knee, could complicate Kelce’s offseason calculus. While Mahomes vowed on social media that he would return “stronger than ever,” the recovery timeline remains uncertain. Against this backdrop, with Kansas City already preparing for a transitional offseason after falling short of the playoffs for the first time since 2014, Kelce’s choice may hinge on whether he believes the franchise can rebound quickly enough to remain a contender.
Only last month, Kelce offered an unusually candid look at how he was approaching retirement. Speaking to reporters before a game against the Colts, he said he wanted to help the Chiefs plan responsibly. “Seeing my brother go through it and — I don’t know, how the league works … I want to give the Chiefs a good opportunity, whether I come back or not,” he said, according to the Associated Press. He added that he hoped to finalize his decision “before they have draft picks and free agency opens,” stressing any choice would come after the season. Those comments now take on new significance as Mahomes begins a months-long rehabilitation and the Chiefs enter a rare period of roster uncertainty. Kelce remains a central force in Kansas City’s offense, even in a down year for the team. Before Mahomes was injured Sunday, the quarterback found his tight end five times, and Kelce finished with seven receptions for 70 yards — a reminder that even amid questions about his future, he continues to play at an elite level. But that performance also underscored how reliant Kansas City’s offense has been on the chemistry between its two stars, especially during a season marked by inconsistency, injuries, and erratic production from the receiving corps.
Beyond football considerations, Kelce’s personal life has also become part of the conversation. The tight end, who is preparing to marry global music star Taylor Swift, has acknowledged that the demands of the NFL grind become harder to manage with age. While he has not suggested that his relationship plays a role in his retirement deliberations, the balance between football, health, and life outside the sport is likely to weigh more heavily as he approaches his late 30s.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ front office faces its own timeline. The team has no quarterback under contract for the 2026 season and will spend the coming months reshaping an offense that struggled in close games and lacked consistent production beyond Kelce. If Mahomes requires a cautious return schedule — and early indicators suggest the team will avoid rushing him — Kansas City must decide whether Kelce fits into its long-term competitive window or if it should begin preparing for succession at one of its most important positions.
For now, the future of one of the NFL’s most iconic duos remains unresolved. Mahomes faces surgery and a long recovery, while Kelce will weigh his options once the season concludes. The Chiefs, entering their first offseason without playoff football in nearly a decade, must brace for the possibility that the Mahomes-to-Kelce era may be much closer to its end than anyone in Kansas City hoped.
