Travis

Kelce

In what might have been his final NFL game, Kelce was tied for the team lead in receptions as the Chiefs did their best to get him involved. It was a tough way to go out — if Kelce indeed retires this offseason — after a Hall of Fame career that included 1,077 receptions and nearly 23,000 yards. Kelce scored 82 touchdowns over 13 seasons with the Chiefs, though he managed just eight scores over his final 32 NFL games. Kelce acquitted himself well in 2025, ranking sixth in tight end receptions and fourth in tight end receiving yards. His early-career explosiveness gone, Kelce remained a tactician in 2025. He would remain a usable fantasy option if he returns for the 2026 season.

This is not a surprise, but it does help us set a timeline for when Kelce might make his decision. It doesn’t sound like we will know whether or not Kelce is done anytime soon. Rapoport noted that Kelce will not play for a team other than Kansas City if he chooses to keep the cleats on for another season. Kelce is an impending free agent, but he and the Chiefs should have no issues working out a one-year deal to give him a final ride if that’s what he wants. If not, a Week 18 date with the Raiders will be his last game.

Kelce couldn’t get much going in what might have been his final game in Arrowhead Stadium. That was, however, until the last drive of the night, when third-string passer Chris Oladokun connected with him three times for 23 yards. It was the best sendoff the Chiefs could muster for Kelce after losing Patrick Mahomes to a torn ACL two weeks ago. With nothing left to play for in Week 18, Kelce is barely a TE2 to close out the year.

This was the second time in three weeks Kelce was held to one catch for under 10 yards. This time was a little more understandable as a team already missing Patrick Mahomes then lost Gardner Minshew to a first half knee injury. That left unknown fourth-year pro Chris Oladokun to deliver the football, and deliver it he did not. Isiah Pacheco led the team in receptions. With Minshew believed to be out for Christmas Day against the Broncos, Kelce can no longer be trusted as a TE1 with Oladokun under center. That’s if he even plays. Kelce has said he will finish the season, but the injury risk may no longer be worth it without a legitimate signal caller.

We assumed this would be the case, but it is good to know nonetheless. The Chiefs are eliminated from playoff contention and Kelce’s “best friend on the roster,” QB Patrick Mahomes (knee),” is out for the year. The 36-year-old tight end needs just 203 receiving yards to “become the oldest tight end in the NFL’s history to record 1,000 yards in a season.”

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Rice “reported concussion symptoms on Monday and entered the league’s protocol.” Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton is also in the league’s concussion protocol, potentially leaving the receiving corps short-staffed for QB Gardner Minshew against the Titans this week. Chiefs TE Travis Kelce could get a chance to pad his stats, given the state of things, on Sunday.

Kelce tied for the team lead in receptions and led the Chiefs in receiving yardage thanks in large part to a hurry up approach in the fourth quarter as the Chiefs tried (and failed) to keep their playoff hopes alive. Kelce converted five first downs on the day. It was the fourth time in 2025 Kelce has exceeded 68 receiving yards. His rest-of-season usage is very much an open question with Kansas City eliminated from postseason contention and Patrick Mahomes going down in the fourth quarter with an apparently serious knee injury. Gardner Minshew’s penchant for check downs could keep Kelce alive as a weekly fantasy starter if that’s how the Chiefs want to play this. Kelce is slated to face the Titans in Week 16.

Kelce’s night looks bad enough on paper before you realize two of Patrick Mahomes’ incompletions when targeting the veteran tight end were drops. Additionally, Kelce bobbled a pass on the team’s penultimate possession that was picked off by Azeez Al-Shaair with under four minutes remaining and down by a touchdown. That would allow the Texans to run down the clock to under 30 seconds after kicking a field goal to go up by 10. The loss drops the Chiefs to 6-7 with only a 16 percent chance of making the playoffs. Kelce will be needed in a must-win showdown with the Chargers in Week 15.

Chiefs RG Trey Smith (ankle) is also doubtful, and Chiefs LT Josh Simmons (wrist) was recently placed on injured reserve. The Texans’ pass rush generates pressure at the NFL’s second-highest rate (42.4 percent). This is a tough break for QB Patrick Mahomes. Expect him to funnel targets to WR Rashee Rice and TE Travis Kelce on short routes.

Kelce found paint on the final play of the third quarter to send the Chiefs to a 14-7 lead, but things would stall out in the second quarter as they were held off the scoreboard on their final two possessions of the first half. He extended his franchise record for total touchdowns scored that he set two weeks ago, something he’ll look to replicate in a difficult matchup against the Texans in Week 14.