If you thought this would be it for Travis Kelce, think again.
Retirement rumors have swirled around the tight end for years now, especially as the Kansas City Chiefs continue their run of success. It would be a bit surprising for Kelce to hang up his cleats in the midst of a dynasty, but the 35-year-old has already positioned himself for life after the NFL.
Between those countless ventures and his ongoing relationship with Taylor Swift, no one would blame the star from walking away.
Regardless, his focus now, and into the future, is still on football. During Super Bowl opening night, Kelce was asked about where he sees himself in three years.
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‘Hopefully still playing football,’ Kelce said. ‘I love doing this, I love coming into work every day. I feel like I still have a lot of good football left in me. We’ll see what happens. I know I’ve been setting myself up for other opportunities in my life. That’s always been the goal knowing football only lasts for so long. You have to find a way to get into another career and another profession. I’ve been doing that in my offseason. But for the most part, I plan on being a Kansas City Chief and playing football.’
A third-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, Kelce was an imperfect prospect coming out of college. Andy Reid, former Philadelphia Eagles and current Chiefs head coach, made the decision to draft the younger Kelce after his brother, Jason, vouched for him.
In the now-famous draft story, Kelce and Reid, who drafted both brothers, have spoken about how the relationship came to exist.
‘I guess he told my brother ‘Make sure this kid doesn’t screw this up for me,” Kelce told Fox Sports’ ‘The Herd’ in 2017 about his draft call with Reid. ‘I get back on. ‘Alright, we’re gonna take you. This minute you start to go astray I’m going to kick your (expletive).’”
Kelce delivered and has also been remarkably durable over the years as missing games is a rare occurrence. Since appearing in just one game during his rookie year, the tight end has been a regular in Chiefs’ games ever since.
Father Time comes for all, however. After posting seven straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards, Kelce has dropped below that mark in each of the last two, posting a career-low in 2024 with just 823. He also scored just three touchdowns during the regular season, also a career-worst.
As the Chiefs get set to play for a record third-straight Super Bowl win and their second in three years against the Eagles, there is a notable absence on the other sideline. Kelce’s older brother, Jason – who announced his retirement after last season – will just be a fan this time around.
‘Of course I wish Jason was out there,’ Travis Kelce said. Being at the mountaintop with your brother is something special that I’ll never forget.’
Retirement has treated Jason nicely. In addition to co-hosting the ‘New Heights’ podcast, he’s been part of ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Football’ broadcasts all season, and also secured a late-night show on the network for the NFL playoffs. He’s been seemingly everywhere since stepping away from the game in March 2024, but Travis still wishes his brother didn’t call it quits.
‘I wish he would have played another year, but he’s very content where he is in life right now and I’m happy as hell for him,’ Kelce said. ‘He gets to be around his family and his baby girls a little bit more. I’ll go out there and try to represent the family as best I can.’
While it doesn’t appear he’ll walk away from football after Super Bowl 59, Kelce is entering the final year of his contract with the Chiefs.
He’ll be 36 when that time comes and retirement questions will only get louder as time goes on.
Then again, Kelce has always thrived in the chaos.