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Patrick Mahomes Makes Unexpected Decision for Travis Kelce’s Final Game
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- Patrick Mahomes Makes Unexpected Decision for Travis Kelce’s Final Game
Patrick Mahomes was forced to watch on as Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs looked to end a five-game skid in Week 18, hitting the road to face Geno Smith and the Las Vegas Raiders . Mahomes missed the final three games of the 2025 NFL season, including Week 18, after tearing his ACL and LCL in the Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers .
Kelce has become one of the best tight ends in NFL history during his 13 seasons in Kansas City . The former Cincinnati Bearcats star helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowls in five appearances, along with breaking numerous records, including the record for most Super Bowl catches with 35.
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts after making a catch for a first downJay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
But Kelce, 36, may have played the final game of his NFL career on Sunday. Retirement rumors have surrounded the tight end since last season's Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles , before he ultimately chose to return for one more year. However, with Mahomes sidelined and the Chiefs staring at a top-10 draft pick, Kelce could decide to hang up his cleats following the matchup with Las Vegas .
But for the Chiefs' season finale, and possibly Kelce's final game of his career, Mahomes chose to remain in the Kansas City area rather than travel to Allegiant Stadium, spending quiet time with his family.
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A couple of hours before Chiefs vs. Raiders, Mahomes' wife, Brittany Mahomes, posted a video to her Instagram story showing the couple having a meal with their three children, Sterling Skye, 4, "Bronze" Lavon, 3, and Golden Raye, 1.
"Instead of trying to evade the #Raiders pass rush today in Las Vegas, Patrick Mahomes is spending a quiet day at home with the family," Starcade Media wrote on X.
While Mahomes continues to recover from his ACL injury, the former NFL MVP is still expected to return at the start of the 2026 NFL season. However, the quarterback could be without his favorite target, as Kelce's retirement decision looms.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
