Travis Kelce Holds Back Tears After Chiefs Are Knocked Out of Playoffs

Travis Kelce looked defeated after the Chiefs were eliminated from the playoffs.

The 36-year-old tight end somberly hung his head as he walked past reporters and fans on his way t to the locker room after the Chiefs lost their must-win game to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Dec. 14.

In a video shared on X, Kelce was seen walking slowly with his helmet in his hand after the game. At one point, Kelce lightly hit the wall in frustration as he accepted the Chiefs’ fate this season.

Kelce also declined to speak to reporters after the loss, telling them, “It’s not the time.”

“I’ll catch you guys during the week,” he promised, according to The Athletic’s Jesse Newell, who said the tight end declined speaking to the press twice on Sunday.

Sunday’s loss was crushing for Chiefs fans in more ways than one. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a devastating injury late in the game as the Chiefs were down just three points. Hours after the game, an MRI confirmed that Mahomes, 30, sustained a torn ACL in his left knee.

“Patrick and the club are currently exploring surgical options,” the team said.

The quarterback later took to X to thank fans for their support. “Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts. But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again,” he wrote.

Mahomes concluded his post, “Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers.”

To make the playoffs, the Chiefs needed to win all four of their remaining games this season, plus they needed others in the league to lose multiple games. But with their loss, the Chiefs eliminated themselves from contention.

As for Kelce, whether or not he’ll retire is still to be determined. In November, he said he wants to give the Chiefs “a good opportunity” to improve their roster in the upcoming offseason by telling them early if he plans to play another season.

“Like, whether they want me back or not, it’s one of those things where I’d like to make that decision before they’ve got to get draft picks and free agency opens up,” Kelce told reporters.