A recent report hinted that tight finish Travis Kelce, who’s within the final year of his contract, was making ready his physique for a “final dance” season with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs forward of his anticipated retirement.
Whereas talking with reporters on the Chiefs’ necessary minicamp on Wednesday, Kelce instructed he might proceed taking part in past his thirty seventh birthday, which he’ll have a good time in October 2026.
“I received one yr on this contract, I do know that, and we’ll attempt to work out one thing for subsequent yr,” Kelce mentioned about his unsure future, as shared by Michael Baca of the NFL’s web site. “The Chiefs group is aware of how a lot I like them. I am unable to see myself ever taking part in anyplace else. We’ll take care of that down the street when the time is correct, however proper now I am targeted on successful a championship this yr.”
Kelce has been the topic of retirement rumors since he famous within the fall of 2023 that “the lingering accidents—the ten surgical procedures I’ve had that I nonetheless really feel each single surgical procedure to this present day” had him occupied with calling time on his taking part in days “nonstop” and “greater than anybody might ever think about.” Nevertheless, he made it clear this previous March that he nonetheless believes he can carry out “at a excessive stage and probably at a better stage than I did final yr.”
Kelce completed the 2024 common season with profession lows (outdoors of when he appeared in only one recreation as a rookie throughout the 2013 marketing campaign) of 823 receiving yards and three landing catches.
“I like soccer. I do not suppose I actually considered it that a lot,” Kelce mentioned Wednesday about operating it again with the Chiefs for at the very least another season. “…I like coming into work each single day. It wasn’t a really robust one for me. I do know I am getting older, however on the similar time, I nonetheless really feel like I’ve received lots I can show on this league. With that being mentioned, it actually wasn’t that onerous of a call for me.”
Kelce’s much-publicized relationship with leisure celebrity Taylor Swift and his quite a few off-the-field business endeavors preserve him busy away from soccer fields. Some think he might basically decide the place he’d wish to work as an on-air NFL analyst as quickly as subsequent yr.
For now, the three-time Tremendous Bowl champion and future first-ballot Corridor of Famer is concentrated on that includes for the Chiefs by February 2026.
“I am solely concerned with Tremendous Bowl rings,” Kelce added concerning the Chiefs receiving rings for successful this previous January’s AFC Championship Recreation, per Adam Teicher of ESPN. “…Final yr wasn’t successful for me and I am motivated to be sure that we get that different ring this yr.”
