Travis Kelce has been the center of plenty of conversation lately-and not just because of his on-field play. With retirement rumors swirling, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end is facing questions about his future as the 2025 season winds down.
What we do know: Kelce is still under contract through next season and won’t hit free agency until 2026. But with the Chiefs out of playoff contention and Kelce approaching the twilight of a Hall of Fame career, the speculation is understandable.
Kelce’s résumé speaks for itself. Five Super Bowl appearances.
Three rings. A position-defining presence at tight end.
He’s been the engine of Kansas City’s offense alongside Patrick Mahomes for nearly a decade, and his consistency, durability, and knack for rising in big moments have set him apart. But as the Chiefs limp toward the finish line of a disappointing season, the question looms: Is this the final stretch for No.
87?
On Thursday, Rob Gronkowski-no stranger to the "GOAT tight end" debate himself-weighed in on the Kelce conversation during an appearance on Up&Adams with Kay Adams. The four-time Super Bowl champ was asked if comparisons to Kelce bother him.
“It’s all opinions,” Gronk said, brushing off the idea that the debate gets under his skin. “When someone says that, they’re still complimenting me. They’re not trying to take away what I did in the NFL, and that’s why it doesn’t hurt me.”
Gronkowski added that he’s only bothered when people try to downplay his accomplishments entirely. “But Gronk was a great player, this is why I think Travis Kelce’s better’-I mean, understandable,” he said.
“That’s what makes the game so great. And what makes the fans so great is that they’re able to debate and give their opinion.”
Gronkowski’s own legacy is secure. He played 11 seasons in the NFL, the bulk of them with the New England Patriots, where he won three Super Bowls.
After retiring in March 2019, he returned a year later to join Tom Brady in Tampa Bay-and promptly won his fourth ring with the Buccaneers in the 2020 season. He hung up the cleats for good in June 2022.
As for Kelce, the immediate focus is on Week 16, where the Chiefs (6-8) will travel to Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans (2-12). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Kansas City has already been eliminated from playoff contention-a rare position for a team that’s been a postseason fixture in recent years. They’ve dropped three straight games, and while the stakes may be low in terms of standings, there’s still pride on the line. For veterans like Kelce, it’s also about finishing strong, setting the tone for what could be their final games in a Chiefs uniform.
Kelce hasn’t made any official decision about his future. Whether he returns for one more run in 2026 or decides to call it a career, one thing is clear: He’s already etched his name among the greats. And if this is the beginning of the end, fans-and maybe even fellow legends like Gronk-will be watching closely.