Travis Kelce Needs 13 TDs to Surpass Rob Gronkowski Before Retirement, Can He Do It?

Travis Kelce is in the final year of his $34.25 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. And, according to insiders, retirement is looming larger than ever for the star tight end after the 2025 season.

Kelce, 35, admitted after the Chiefs’ heartbreaking Super Bowl loss in February that he briefly considered walking away. While he chose to return, sources close to the player now believe this could be his last ride.

“This should be the end,” one insider told the Daily Mail, adding that Kelce already “anticipates” hanging up his cleats regardless of how tough the decision may be. However, before stepping away, Kelce has one more milestone within reach, and he would be driven to achieve it. Is it possible in one season, though?

Rob Gronkowski’s all-time tight end record of 93 touchdowns is something that will be playing in the mind of Kelce, who currently sits at 81. That leaves him 13 shy of the mark. a tall ask considering he managed only three touchdowns last season.

Kelce has averaged 6-9 touchdowns per season in his career, with a season-high of 12 in 2022. He scored five in 2023 and only managed three touchdowns in 2024, the second-fewest of his career after his rookie season (2013) when he had none in one game appearance.

To pass Gronk this year, he would need this to be his most prolific scoring season ever. And things are already not looking good for him if his Brazil performance is any indication.

Kelce had just one catch for 10 yards on the stat sheet for most of the season-opening game against divisional rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers, in São Paulo. Then, finally, with a little over 12 minutes to play, he broke free downfield.

Mahomes hit him in stride for a 37-yard touchdown that electrified the Brazilian crowd and swung momentum Kansas City’s way. But only briefly. And it wasn’t enough to help them win (the Chiefs lost  27-21).