A latest report hinted that tight finish Travis Kelce, who’s within the remaining yr 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’ obligatory minicamp on Wednesday, Kelce prompt he might proceed taking part in past his thirty seventh birthday, which he’ll rejoice in October 2026.
“I obtained one yr on this contract, I do know that, and we’ll try to work out one thing for subsequent yr,” Kelce stated 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 really like them. I am unable to see myself ever taking part in wherever else. We’ll take care of that down the street when the time is correct, however proper now I am targeted on profitable 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 at the present time” had him serious about 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 the next stage than I did final yr.”
Kelce completed the 2024 common season with profession lows (exterior of when he appeared in only one sport as a rookie throughout the 2013 marketing campaign) of 823 receiving yards and three landing catches.
“I really like soccer. I do not suppose I actually considered it that a lot,” Kelce stated Wednesday about working it again with the Chiefs for at the least yet another season. “…I really 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 identical time, I nonetheless really feel like I’ve obtained loads I can show on this league. With that being stated, it actually wasn’t that tough of a choice for me.”
Kelce’s much-publicized relationship with leisure famous person Taylor Swift and his quite a few off-the-field enterprise endeavors maintain him busy away from soccer fields. Some suppose he might basically decide the place he’d need 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 way of February 2026.
“I am solely desirous about Tremendous Bowl rings,” Kelce added in regards to the Chiefs receiving rings for profitable this previous January’s AFC Championship Sport, 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.”
