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As the 2025 NFL season drew to a close, many anticipated that Travis Kelce would hang up his cleats. At 36, Kelce is nearing the typical retirement age for an athlete, although his recent season likely didn’t meet his expectations. While he has yet to make a definitive statement regarding his future, insiders now suggest he intends to postpone retirement for at least another year. This decision has left fans unsure of what to anticipate next.
Travis Kelce is reportedly not retiring after a period of speculation
Having spent over ten years with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce’s potential retirement has been a topic of interest for some time. As the team prepares for the following season, they are ready to adapt to either outcome regarding Kelce’s career decision.
“We’ve approached the Travis situation by preparing for all possibilities,” explained Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, according to AP. “Coach [Andy Reid] mentioned on Friday that he’s had productive discussions with Travis. On our side, myself and [assistant general manager] Chris Shea, along with Travis’ team, have also engaged in positive talks.”
Nonetheless, the team is reluctant to see him leave.
“Travis is an extraordinary player, a true icon, and we hope he decides to return. We’ll allow this process to unfold naturally,” Veach added.
“Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back and we’ll just let that process play out,” Veach said.
At this point, Kelce and the Chiefs are reportedly approaching a deal that would bring him back for another season.
Fans have reacted to news that Travis Kelce isn’t retiring
The 2025 season was Kelce’s last under his contract with the Chiefs. This led many to believe he would retire after what would, ideally, be a victorious season. Unfortunately, things didn’t go Kansas City’s way. The team didn’t make the playoffs for the first time since 2014. As a result, some think Kelce will feel driven to end on a higher note. Other fans don’t think this is a good idea.
“They’ll lose again,” wrote one Reddit user. “His hubris is going to take the team down.”
Others think he has had a good career and should retire on good terms.
“Please just go away,” wrote one person. “Great career. Take your wife to be and go away. Also take your brother. Enough. Leave with a little dignity.”
Some noted that the Chiefs’ recent loss was possibly driving Kelce’s decision, and they didn’t approve,
“That’s an ego decision,” wrote another person. “Not an intelligence based decision.”
Though there has been some blowback, others are looking forward to seeing Kelce play another season.
“Well he played so well last season so why not,” asked one person.
Another person added that they aren’t surprised Kelce wants another chance at a Super Bowl ring.
“Not surprised after that disaster of a season,” one person wrote. “Patrick [Mahomes] is out on the mend and they want their ‘3 peat.’”
What has he said about ending his career?
At the start of 2025, Kelce admitted retirement was not an easy decision for him.
“There’s a lot of love for the game that’s still there and I don’t think I’ll ever lose that,” he said on his New Heights podcast. “It’s a tough thing to navigate, but at the same time, if my body can heal up and rest up, and I can feel confident that I can go out there and give it another 18, 20, 21-week run, I think I would do it in a heartbeat.”
He added that his decision will come down to his physical preparedness.
“I think right now, it’s just finding that answer and seeing how the body feels after this game and kinda when it all settles down,” he said.
If Kelce returns, he will play his 14th season with the Chiefs.