Travis Kelce Misses Playoffs for Only the Second Time in His Career - And It Hits Different
For the first time in over a decade, Travis Kelce won’t be suiting up in January. The Kansas City Chiefs were officially eliminated from playoff contention after a narrow 16-13 loss to the Chargers, coupled with a series of other results that sealed their fate. And just like that, one of the most dominant runs in recent NFL history has hit a wall.
This is only the second time in Kelce’s career that he’ll miss the postseason - the last time was all the way back in 2014, when he was just 25 and still rising through the ranks. Fast forward to now: Kelce is 36, a three-time Super Bowl champion, a five-time Super Bowl participant, and one of the most recognizable faces in football.
He’s also been navigating an off-field spotlight that’s grown exponentially. But on Sunday, none of that mattered.
The Chiefs lost, the season ended, and Kelce wasn’t in the mood to talk.
After the game, Kelce gave a quick statement to reporters: *“It’s not the time. I’ll catch you guys during the week.”
- And that was it. No podium, no quotes, no reflection - at least not yet.
Some fans and pundits were quick to criticize the veteran tight end for ducking the media, but let’s take a step back. This isn’t just a regular-season loss.
This is a gut punch at the end of what’s been an emotionally draining year for Kelce and the Chiefs. His longtime quarterback and close friend, Patrick Mahomes, tore his ACL and is done for the year.
The team - a perennial powerhouse - is staring down the possibility of its first losing season under Andy Reid. And for Kelce, who contemplated retirement last offseason before deciding to run it back, this could be the final chapter.
When you’ve spent your entire career winning - when January football is your norm, not your exception - a season like this doesn’t just sting. It shakes your foundation.
Kelce has been the heartbeat of this offense, a key cog in Reid’s machine, and a leader in the locker room. To see it all unravel in real time?
That’s not something you process in the locker room postgame with a mic in your face.
This season was always going to be a pivotal one for Kelce. After the Chiefs were blown out in Super Bowl 59, he had a decision to make.
Walk away on top, or give it one more go. He chose the latter, hoping for a different ending - one more run, one more shot at a ring.
Instead, the Chiefs are out before the calendar even flips to January.
Now, with Mahomes sidelined and the playoff door officially closed, the questions will start swirling. Is this the end for Kelce?
Will he return for another season? Those answers will come in time.
But in the immediate aftermath of a crushing loss, it’s understandable that he needed a moment to step back and breathe.
We’re not used to seeing this version of the Chiefs - and we’re certainly not used to seeing this version of Travis Kelce. But that’s the nature of the NFL.
Dynasties don’t last forever, even when they feel like they might. And for a player who’s defined postseason football for the better part of a decade, missing out hits harder than most of us can imagine.
Kelce will talk eventually. He always does. But for now, he’s processing something that’s new to him - and that deserves a little space.