REPORT: Retirement talk continues to follow Travis Kelce, but Chris Jones isn’t buying it. The Chiefs defensive leader says he fully expects Kelce to return in 2026. Not everyone is convinced — yet. Chris Jones sounds certain about what comes next (J)

Chris Jones Believes Travis Kelce Isn’t Done Yet as Chiefs Face Uncertain Offseason After Disastrous 2025

The Kansas City Chiefs officially closed the book on one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history with a deflating loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The 14–12 defeat not only capped a miserable 6–11 campaign, but also marked the end of an era defined by sustained excellence—one that had come to feel permanent in Kansas City.

For the first time in over a decade, the Chiefs are heading into the offseason without playoff football, without momentum, and without clarity about the future of one of the greatest players in team history: Travis Kelce.

Yet amid the uncertainty, one of Kelce’s closest teammates believes the legendary tight end is not ready to walk away.

A Stunning Fall for a Modern NFL Dynasty

Before the 2025 season began, the idea of Kansas City missing the playoffs felt almost impossible. The Chiefs had reached the postseason 10 straight times, appeared in five Super Bowls, and captured three Lombardi Trophies during that span.

But the cracks that appeared in recent years finally widened.

Offensive inconsistency
Defensive regression
Key injuries
And a roster overly reliant on star power

All of it culminated in a season that never truly found its footing. The Chiefs weren’t just unlucky—they were fundamentally flawed.

Their loss to a struggling Raiders team in Week 18 served as a sobering reminder that the league had caught up, and Kansas City had failed to evolve quickly enough.

Travis Kelce’s Future Suddenly in Question

As the Chiefs’ nightmare season came to an end, speculation immediately shifted to Travis Kelce, the future Hall of Fame tight end who has been synonymous with Kansas City’s dominance for over a decade.

Now 36 years old, Kelce has accomplished everything an NFL player could dream of:

Multiple Super Bowl championships
Numerous All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections
Franchise records
A reputation as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history

If Kelce chose to retire now, his legacy would already be cemented.

And given the emotional and physical toll of the 2025 season, many around the league have wondered whether Sunday night marked his final appearance in an NFL uniform.

Chris Jones: “I Believe My Guy Is Coming Back”

Despite the growing retirement chatter, Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones isn’t buying it.

Jones, one of Kelce’s closest friends and longest-tenured teammates, made his belief clear following the season finale.

“I just believe my guy is coming back,” Jones said, via ESPN’s Nate Taylor.

It was a short quote—but a telling one.

Jones’ confidence isn’t rooted in contract speculation or organizational messaging. It’s based on his understanding of who Kelce is at his core: a fiercely competitive, pride-driven winner who hates unfinished business.

Kelce’s Competitive Fire Still Burns

From the outside, Kelce appears to have everything waiting for him beyond football.

A legendary NFL career
Financial security
Cultural relevance well beyond the sport
And a highly publicized personal life, including his upcoming wedding to global pop superstar Taylor Swift

Few athletes exit the game with more options—or less left to prove.

But those close to Kelce understand that logic has never dictated his decisions. Pride has.

For a player who has spent his entire career competing for championships, going out after a 6–11 season and a last-place finish is unlikely to sit well.

Kelce has always thrived on:

Big moments
High stakes
And the expectation of winning

Walking away after one of the worst seasons of his career would feel deeply uncharacteristic.

One More Run With Patrick Mahomes?

Another factor that could pull Kelce back for the 2026 season is his bond with Patrick Mahomes.

The Mahomes–Kelce connection has defined an era of NFL offense. Together, they:

Redefined tight end usage
Carried Kansas City through countless playoff runs
Delivered in the league’s biggest moments

Mahomes battled injuries and inconsistency in 2025, but few believe his best football is behind him. If the Chiefs can regroup, retool the roster, and regain balance, the door to contention isn’t closed—it’s just harder to open.

For Kelce, the idea of one final redemption season, chasing one more Super Bowl alongside Mahomes, could be the perfect ending.

What a Kelce Return Would Mean for the Chiefs

If Travis Kelce does return in 2026, it would be about more than production.

Even if his numbers decline, Kelce still provides:

Elite football IQ
Leadership in the locker room
Chemistry with Mahomes that cannot be replicated

For a team undergoing transition, that stability matters.

Andy Reid’s offense has long revolved around Kelce’s ability to:

Find soft spots in coverage
Convert critical third downs
Serve as Mahomes’ safety valve

Without him, Kansas City would be forced into a complete offensive identity shift—something that may be premature given their current uncertainty.

The Risk of Coming Back

Of course, returning is not without risk.

At 36, Kelce has absorbed years of punishment. Another season could:

Further diminish his physical edge
Risk injury
Slightly tarnish his statistical legacy

But Kelce has never been a player obsessed with numbers. His career has been defined by moments, not metrics.

If he believes the Chiefs can rebound—even partially—the chance to go out on his terms may outweigh the risks.

A Decision That Will Shape the Chiefs’ Direction

Kelce’s choice will ripple through the organization.

A return signals belief in a rebound
A retirement forces a full philosophical reset
And either decision influences roster construction, draft priorities, and offensive design

For now, the Chiefs wait.

Chris Jones may not speak for the entire locker room, but his confidence suggests that inside the building, Kelce’s story may not be finished.

Conclusion: Not the Way a Legend Wants to End

Travis Kelce has nothing left to prove—but he may still have something left to fix.

After a disastrous 2025 season, the idea of redemption looms large. And for competitors of Kelce’s caliber, redemption is often the most powerful motivation of all.

If Chris Jones is right, the Chiefs may get one last ride with No. 87.