Will Travis Kelce retire? Latest rumors, what Chiefs TE has said about his future
Travis Kelce has spent his entire 12-season NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs since being a third-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft.
Since then, Kelce has developed into one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. He has played a major role in the Chiefs' three recent Super Bowl championship teams, alongside head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but was unable to add a fourth to his resume in Super Bowl 59.
Now, Kelce will have a decision to make about his future. The 35-year-old continues to perform at a high level, but could he decide to walk away after a Hall of Fame career? Or will he prefer not to ride into the sunset after Philadelphia blew out Kansas City 40-22 in the Super Bowl?
Here are the latest rumors about Kelce's future, as well as what the Chiefs tight end has said about his desire to play in 2025 and beyond.
Will Travis Kelce retire? Latest rumors about Chiefs TE
Kelce's future beyond Super Bowl 59 is unclear, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Sunday's game could "be the final time we see Travis Kelce on a football field."
"From what I am told, Travis Kelce is undecided about whether or not he wants to play during the 2025 season," Rapoport said in a Saturday appearance on NFL Network. "He has said he believes he has a lot of good football left. He said he envisions himself playing for the Kansas City Chiefs. But he has not been definitive. He has also said, 'We'll see what happens,' in other words to kinda give himself some wiggle room."
Rapoport noted that Kelce's decision will be unlike the retirement of other high-profile players, as he has a lucrative post-playing career awaiting him. Kelce has established himself as a budding media star across from his brother, Jason Kelce, on the "New Heights" podcast and is in a relationship with billionaire pop star Taylor Swift.
So, while Rapoport conceded Kelce's decision is "not just about money," that will be something he considers as he contemplates his future.
"(He's) probably gonna take some time after the game (to) assess his future, but (it's) no lock that he plays next year," Rapoport said.
Rapoport isn't the only NFL insider to note Kelce's uncertain future. Underdog Fantasy's James Palmer noted that Kelce "was moved to tears" during his pre-Super Bowl speech to his Chiefs teammates at the team hotel Saturday night.
"Some in the organization don’t want to admit it, but they do believe this could be his final game," Palmer wrote of Kelce on X.
Palmer also acknowledged Kelce's speech wasn't too far out of the ordinary, noting the tight end is "an emotional person" and had a similar reaction ahead of last year's Super Bowl.
As such, it's not guaranteed Kelce will hang up his cleats after the season, especially given his comments about wanting to play at Super Bowl media day.
What Travis Kelce has said about retirement, Chiefs future
Kelce didn't mince words about what he hoped his future would look like at Super Bowl 59 media day.
The Chiefs tight end was asked where he envisioned himself three years from now. The 35-year-old's response surprised few who had watched him play during his 12-year NFL career.
"Hopefully still playing football," Kelce told reporters. "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."
However, Kelce also acknowledged he wasn't sure exactly what his future would hold while answering the question.
"We'll see what happens," Kelce said about his future. "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."
Still, it seems like if Kelce has things his way, he'll be suiting up for the Chiefs next season.
"But for the most part, I plan on being a Kansas City Chief and playing football," he said.
Patrick Mahomes addresses Travis Kelce's future after Super Bowl 59 loss
Kelce did not address the media after the Chiefs lost to the Eagles in Super Bowl 59. Mahomes did, however, but didn't offer any concrete information about Kelce's future.
"I'll let Travis make that decision on his own," Mahomes said in reference to Kelce potentially retiring, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "He's given so much to this team and to the NFL and been such a joy, not only for me to work with but for people to watch."
Mahomes opined that Kelce "still has a lot of football left in him" but that if 35-year-old did call it quits, he would eventually earn enshrinement to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
But until then, Mahomes isn't going to rush his long-time teammate into a commitment one way or another.
"He'll get to spend some time with his family and make that decision on his own," Mahomes said.