Kansas Metropolis Chiefs star Travis Kelce has already secured his legacy as one of many biggest tight ends of all time, however that doesn't imply he's able to stroll away from his NFL profession.
“I do know I'm 34 years outdated, about to be 35, however I've a love to do that proper right here in the course of the warmth in June,” Kelce mentioned forward of the Chiefs' minicamp session in June 2024. “I like coming to work each single day and doing this.”
In line with a research by RBC Wealth Management, the typical retirement age for an NFL participant is 27.6 years outdated, however Kelce added that he plans to maintain taking part in soccer “till the wheels fall off.”
Travis' brother, Jason Kelce, who is 2 years his senior, set an instance of a sleek exit when he retired from the Philadelphia Eagles on the finish of the 2023 season. Throughout a June 2024 episode of their “New Heights” podcast, Jason gave his brother some retirement knowledge.
Jason Kelce has been a fixture of the Philadelphia Eagles offense for greater than a decade, however he was reasonable concerning the thought of retirement previous to formally stepping down in March 2024. Kelce was drafted in 2011, changing into the primary rookie in Eagles historical past to begin all 16 common season video games at middle. He […]
“That is while you're going to begin understanding, at any time when this time comes, and you should stroll away,” Jason mentioned. “[It's] the combating your physique, like, you used to have the ability to do one thing you'll be able to't do anymore. That's when it's such as you're combating that, to proceed to get that again. That's when it begins to turn out to be exhausting. Backside line is everybody is aware of when it's time for them.”
In contrast to Jason, Travis doesn't have a household to issue into his retirement timeline — Jason shares daughters Wyatt, Elliotte and Bennett with spouse Kylie Kelce — however he's in a dedicated relationship with Taylor Swift. Though a supply solely instructed Us Weekly in Might 2024 that Travis has “no plans” to suggest to Swift anytime quickly, the pair's romance goes as robust as their respective careers.
“I adore it when Taylor comes and helps me and enjoys the sport with the fam and pals,” Travis mentioned throughout a January 2024 look on The Pat McAfee Present.
Hold scrolling to see the whole lot Kelce has mentioned about his NFL retirement plans, or lack thereof:
April 2023
Travis mentioned he “hadn't put a lot thought into” retiring throughout an interview with Bleacher Report.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are all anybody can speak about since they received collectively in 2023. Their 2025 engagement, which got here weeks earlier than Swift launched her album The Lifetime of a Showgirl (that includes loads of references to Kelce), has made them a fair greater matter of dialog. Swift and Kelce have been first linked in […]
“I completely love what I'm doing, I like doing it right here in Kansas Metropolis,” he mentioned. “I don't even need to take into consideration placing a time restrict on this. My physique nonetheless feels good, I nonetheless really feel like I can assist the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs win. On prime of that, each single day is a blast coming into the constructing.”
June 2023
On the Chiefs minicamp, Travis reiterated his want to maintain taking part in soccer.
“I like this recreation,” he continued. “I do know I'm going to overlook it after I'm performed taking part in. … I get to play a recreation for a residing on the age of 33, 34 and I believe that's one thing – you recognize, I don't need to lose that. I don't need to lose that pleasure that I had for a recreation after I was a child.”
November 2023
The athlete admitted that accidents prompted him to consider retirement “greater than anybody might ever think about” throughout an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
“That's the one factor I've by no means actually been open about,” he mentioned. “The discomfort. The ache. The lingering accidents — the ten surgical procedures I've had that I nonetheless really feel each single surgical procedure to today.”
January 2024
“I've no cause to cease taking part in soccer,” Travis instructed reporters at a press convention. He famous that alternatives like his March 2023 Saturday Night time Dwell internet hosting gig had given him a glimpse of his future prospects, however he nonetheless wasn't able to stroll away from his old flame.
“I've been lucky to do a couple of issues outdoors of the sports activities world that I've been having fun with doing, like getting on digicam,” he defined. “The SNL stuff form of opened up a brand new happiness and a brand new profession path for me, but it surely's humorous for me to even say that at this level in my profession as a result of I believe it's a lot additional down the street than it's proper now.”
June 2024
Throughout a press convention, Travis mentioned that he wasn't planning on retiring “anytime quickly” and mentioned he “actually can't put a timeframe” on his NFL exit.
“I'm going to do it till the wheels fall off,” he mentioned. “I can positively perceive that it's towards the tip of the street [more] than the start of it. I simply gotta ensure that I'm arrange for after soccer as properly.”
Travis added that he nonetheless will get a variety of pleasure from his NFL profession.
“I like coming to work each single day,” he mentioned. “Clearly, I do know there's alternatives outdoors of soccer for me. I believe you've gotta hold in perspective that I'm a bit child after I come on this constructing.”
January 2025
Throughout an look on the Stephen A. Smith Present, Travis denied that he's able to retire at girlfriend Swift's insistence.
“She's absolutely encouraging me to get pleasure from taking part in this recreation,” Travis mentioned. “She loves coming to Arrowhead [Stadium] and coming to the video games and cheering for me, so I received all of the help on the earth to maintain chasing these goals.”
February 2025
Throughout Tremendous Bowl LIX Opening Night time on February 3, Kelce was requested the place he expects to be in 3 years.
“Hopefully nonetheless taking part in soccer,” Kelce instructed reporters. “I like doing this. I like coming into work day by day. I really feel like I nonetheless received a variety of good soccer left in me.”
He added, “We'll see what occurs. I do know I've been setting myself up for different alternatives in my life. That's at all times been the purpose, understanding that soccer solely lasts for thus lengthy.”
February 2025
Following the Chiefs' 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Tremendous Bowl LIX, a somber Kelce mentioned, “We haven't performed that dangerous all season.”
Kelce didn't tackle his taking part in future throughout his transient feedback to reporters.
When Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was requested if he thought Kelce would return for an additional season, he mentioned, “I'll let Travis make that call on his personal.”
Mahomes added, “He's given a lot to this staff and to the NFL, and been such a pleasure not just for me to work with however [for] individuals to look at.”
October 2025
Travis mentioned his potential retirement throughout an interview on ESPN'S Monday Night time Countdown together with his brother, Jason.
“Man, I'll be lucky to maintain having enjoyable with these guys yr in yr out, man,” Travis mentioned, including, “I take it day-to-day, yr by yr. I simply love coming into work with these guys.”
