Will Travis Kelce Retire From the NFL? Career Updates After Super Bowl 2025 Loss

Travis Kelce has had 12 stellar seasons in the NFL but is getting to an age where fans are wondering when he’s going to call it quits. The Kansas City Chiefs star revealed his retirement plans and what the future holds for him after his team’s loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 Super Bowl thwarted their hopes for the first Super Bowl three-peat in history.

Is Travis Kelce Retiring From the NFL?

Travis revealed he wasn’t ready to say goodbye to football yet when he texted Pat McAfee about his decision for the 2025-2026 season. During the February 27, 2025, episode of the Pat McAfee Show, the host read a text from Travis in which he said he was “coming back for sure” next season with the Chiefs.

“Gonna try and get to the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop,” Travis continued in the message, according to Pat.”Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and how I got the guys ready for battle. I can’t go out like that!!!!”

Fans speculated about the tight end’s future in the NFL after the Chiefs lost to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX in February 2025. Following the game, quarterback Patrick Mahomes admitted he didn’t know what Travis’ plans for the future were.

“I’ll let Travis make that decision on his own,” Patrick said on February 9, 2025, when asked if Travis would play in the following season. “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.”

Patrick added that Travis “knows he’s got a lot of football left in him” if he chooses to continue playing. “But it’s if he wants to put in that grind,” he continued. “It’s a grind to go out there and play 20 games, whatever it is, and get to the Super Bowl.”

Travis Says He Took ‘Work Ethic’ Notes From Watching Taylor’s Eras Tour

He went on to praise Travis as a “first-ballot Hall of Famer,” adding, “He’s done enough to be a gold jacket guy.”

“I know he still has love for the game,” Patrick added. “He’ll get to spend some time with his family and make that decision on his own, but he knows he’ll come back here with open arms.”

Travis addressed the rumors after the 2025 Super Bowl during the February 12, 2025, episode of his and brother Jason Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast.

“It’s gonna sting. I know everybody wants to know whether or not I’m playing next year and right now I’m just kicking everything down the road,” he said. “I’m not making any crazy decisions but right now the biggest thing is just being there for my teammates and being there for my coaches, understanding that a lot that goes into this thing.”

Travis continued, “You know, I’ve been fortunate over the past five, six years — I’ve played more football than anybody. And it’s because the people that are in that building and the fact that we keep going to these AFC Championships and these Super Bowls, that means I’m playing an extra three games more than everybody else in the entire league. That’s a lot of wear and tear on your body and it’s a lot of time spent in the building focusing on your craft, focusing on the task at hand … and that process can be grueling. It can weigh on you.”

The footballer said that extra time on the field “can make you better and it can drive you crazy at the same time” and admitted, “It was kind of driving me crazy this year.”

Travis concluded, “I think that it happens as you kind of tail off toward the back nine of your career … as you see yourself or not feel yourself have the success that you once used to have, man, it’s a tough pill to swallow. And then on top of that, to not be there in the biggest moments, knowing your team’s counting on you … it’s just a tough reality.”

Travis has shut down speculation about his retirement in the past. “Whoever’s not thinking about stuff down the road, I blame you,” he joked to reporters at a January 11, 2024, news conference ahead of the Chiefs playoff game against the Miami Dolphins before getting down to business.

“I have no reason to stop playing football,” Travis declared. “I love it, we still have success, come in with the right mindset. I just love the challenge that it gives me every single day to try and be my best. Like I said, I have no desire to stop anytime soon.”

With that said, there is one thing that would make Travis retire early: Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid’s retirement. The tight end said on the February 14, 2024, episode of his “New Heights” podcast with brother Jason Kelce that he refused to play football for anyone but Andy.

“If he calls it quits this year, I’m out there with him, man,” Travis said.

What Has Travis Kelce Said About His Plans Outside of Football?

Hosting Saturday Night Live in March 2023 opened up the Ohio native to goals outside of athletics.

“That’s the point of the offseason. Being able to get out there and really find what you love to do, and I’ve been fortunate to do a few things outside of the sports world that I’ve been enjoying doing, like getting on camera,” Travis told reporters.

“The SNL stuff kinda opened up a new happiness and maybe a new career path for me, but it’s funny for me to even say that at this point in my career because it’s so much further down the road than it is right now,” he added.

What Has Travis Kelce Previously Said About Retirement?

The athlete worried fans when he said that he thinks about retiring from the NFL “more than anyone could ever imagine,” during a November 2023 interview with The Wall Street Journal, citing the physical toll the sport takes on his body.

“That’s the only thing I’ve never really been open about,” Travis added. “The discomfort. The pain. The lingering injuries — the 10 surgeries I’ve had that I still feel every single surgery to this day.”

Deal of the Day

Stay Dressed To Impress All Summer Long, Thanks to This Portable Steam — 70% Off View Deal

Travis was realistic about how his playing days will be coming to an end during the December 18, 2024, episode of his “New Heights” podcast, sharing how the Chiefs playing the Browns in his hometown of Cleveland the weekend prior was possibly his “last” time doing so.

“I just love that city, man. It was so fun. When we flew in, I felt like a tour guide. I was telling everybody every single city that we were going past, every monument, every building.”

“Silly memories … were going in and out of my mind. And it felt so surreal,” he told brother Jason Kelce. “I don’t know if it’s the last time I’ll ever play in Cleveland, but it kinda felt like I was just giving it one last hurrah before I’m done because I’ve only played there twice in 12 years.”

Taylor Swift Reminding Travis Kelce to ‘Be a Little More Discreet’

When Did Travis Kelce Start Playing in the NFL?

Travis was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft after playing collegiate football at the University of Cincinnati. He has played every season since with the team and has become one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, breaking numerous records and helping the team win three Super Bowls.