**Travis Kelce’s NFL Future Uncertain as Chiefs Face Crucial Offseason Decisions**

*By Tyler Erzberger | Newsweek | January 11, 2026*

It has been a week since the Kansas City Chiefs played their final game of the NFL season, and the question on everyone’s mind remains: Is legendary tight end Travis Kelce calling it quits after 13 remarkable seasons?

Following the game, Kelce spoke with raw honesty when asked if he planned to continue playing. He noted that this decision feels very different from last year’s Super Bowl loss, after which he knew immediately he would be back. This time, however, Kelce expressed uncertainty about his future, explaining that the decision “could come quickly” or might require some soul-searching.

Mitch Holthus, the longtime Chiefs Radio Network play-by-play announcer, recently spoke about the importance of Kelce making his decision sooner rather than later, especially given the significance of the upcoming offseason for Kansas City.

“You’ve got to give Kelce some time, but you can’t have too much time,” Holthus said on local radio. “Not with a team that has salary cap issues to figure out.”

The Chiefs are currently $50 million over the salary cap as they head into free agency. While this number is expected to drop considerably—primarily due to anticipated restructuring of Patrick Mahomes’ massive $78 million cap hit and other contracts—Kelce remains a critical piece of the puzzle.

If Kelce decides to retire, it could free up space to pay other key players and allow the Chiefs to take a younger approach at the tight end position in the draft. Although Kelce is unlikely to demand an exorbitant new contract, he remains statistically one of the best tight ends in the league—meaning his decision will greatly impact roster moves and team planning.

As the Chiefs prepare for a pivotal offseason, all eyes will be on Kelce’s announcement, which could shape the franchise’s future trajectory in the years to come.

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*TOPICS: Sports*
*KEYWORDS: Chiefs, football, Kansas City, Kelce, NFL, Travis Kelce*

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