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T<\/span>he Kansas City Chiefs<\/a><\/strong>‘ 2025 season ended in disappointment, with the team missing the playoffs and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes<\/strong> sidelined by a season-ending ACL tear and New England Patriots<\/strong> icon Rob Gronkowski<\/strong> thinks it could have an impact on Travis Kelce<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The tight end has been a cornerstone of the Chiefs<\/strong>‘ offense for over a decade, yet, rumors of his retirement are intensifying, with speculation that Week 18 could mark his final game.<\/p>\n Video shows Travis Kelce appears to be done with the Chiefs after Patrick Mahomes injury<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Kelce<\/strong>‘s career is Hall of Fame-bound. Since entering the league in 2013, the 36-year-old spent his entire career with Kansas City<\/strong>, won three Super Bowls<\/strong>, and earned 10 Pro Bowl<\/strong> selections.<\/p>\n Off the field, Kelce<\/strong> has a busy life. He co-hosts the popular “New Heights” podcast with his brother Jason<\/strong> and is engaged to global superstar Taylor Swift<\/strong>, factors that may influence his future plans.<\/p>\n “My gut tells me that Travis Kelce<\/strong> will not be back next year,” Gronkowski<\/strong> said on Up & Adams<\/strong>. <\/p>\n “He has had a significant career, Kay. He’s had an excellent year this year. He’s (still) a top tight end in the NFL<\/strong>. <\/p>\n “With where the Chiefs<\/strong> are, with Patrick Mahomes<\/strong> getting hurt, with everything else going on in Travis Kelce<\/strong>‘s life, I think this is his last year. And what a heck of a career he has had, no doubt about that.”<\/p>\n In 2025, Kelce<\/strong> recorded 67 catches for 797 yards and five touchdowns. His PFSN<\/strong> TE Impact rating of 84.5 ranks sixth among 85 qualified tight ends, reflecting his elite performance despite the team’s struggles.<\/p>\n With Mahomes<\/strong>‘ injury and the team missing the postseason, attention turns to 2026. If Kelce<\/strong> retires, Kansas City<\/strong> will face a significant offensive gap and a reshaping of their game plan.<\/p>\n Gronkowski<\/strong> was one of the NFL<\/strong>‘s most dominant tight ends and cast his ballot on the best three players to ever play in his position as he ranked his top three all-time TE, and interestingly, all are from the AFC West<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Gronk<\/strong>, a five-time Pro Bowler<\/strong>, won three Super Bowls<\/strong> with the New England Patriots<\/strong> and another with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/strong> as his unique combination of blocking, receiving, and game-changing athleticism sets him apart. So, who better to judge?<\/p>\n And first on his list is Tony Gonzalez<\/strong>, the longtime Chiefs<\/strong> standout. Gonzalez<\/strong> holds records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns among tight ends and influenced Gronk<\/strong> as a young player.<\/p>\n “Unbelievable tight end, he was one of my heroes as a child,” Gronkowski<\/strong> said of Gonzalez<\/strong>. His durability and consistency over 17 seasons left a lasting mark on the position.<\/p>\n Kelce<\/strong> is the only active player on Gronkowski<\/strong>‘s list, highlighting the respect the NFL<\/strong> legend has for his former rival as the Kansas City<\/strong> ace has redefined the position as a pass-catching threat with elite route running.<\/p>\n Since 2013, Kelce<\/strong> has set records for consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, postseason receptions, and receiving yards. His connection with Mahomes<\/strong> has been central to the Chiefs<\/strong>‘ success and dynasty.<\/p>\n “You can never count him out with what he has done in the postseason, along with his regular-season performances. He’s a clutch player,” Gronk<\/strong> admitted, praising Kelce<\/strong>‘s reliability in big moments.<\/p>\n Rounding out the top three is Antonio Gates<\/strong>, the San Diego<\/strong> [now Los Angeles<\/strong>] Chargers<\/strong> legend. Gates<\/strong>, a former college basketball player, dominated for over a decade and remains the career leader in touchdown receptions at the position.<\/p>\nGronk names his three greatest tight ends of all-time<\/h2>\n
Kelce earns big praise<\/h2>\n