After the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl LIX, questions began to surface about what the future might hold for Travis Kelce. The conversation picked up again toward the end of the 2025 season as Kelce openly acknowledged that his decision to continue playing would depend largely on how his body feels after time to rest and recover.
Speaking on his “New Heights” podcast with his brother, Jason, Travis addressed questions about his next steps following the season, emphasizing that he planned to take time before making any decisions about his future in football. “I think, yeah, just being a regular human for a couple weeks, maybe a month or so, trying to figure out what I’m gonna do next in terms of my future in football,” Kelce said.
He also noted that conversations with the team had already begun, adding, “And I think, you know, I’ve talked to a few people in the facility already, you know, having the exit meetings and everything, and, they know where I stand at least right now.”
Find out what we know about Travis’ career and future with the Chiefs below.
Is Travis Kelce Retiring From the Chiefs?
Travis has not announced a decision to retire, but he was candid about weighing his future following the 2025 season. In a November 2023 interview with The Wall Street Journal, Travis acknowledged the physical toll of his career, saying, “That’s the only thing I’ve never really been open about. The pain. The lingering injuries — the 10 surgeries I’ve had that I still feel every single surgery to this day.”
Following the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIX loss, quarterback Patrick Mahomes expressed confidence that Travis still has plenty left. “He’s given so much to this team and to the NFL. He has a lot of football left in him. You can see it. He always makes plays in the biggest moments, but it’s if he wants to put in that grind. It’s a grind out there to go out there and play 20 games and get to the Super Bowl. He’s done enough to be a gold jacket guy and a first-ballot Hall of Famer. But I know he still has love for the game.”
In December 2025, Travis was asked about his future with the Chiefs. Per ESPN, the athlete said he’d “rather just keep the focus on this team, right now” and that “all the conversations that [he has] with the team moving forward will be with them.” Saying that he “unfortunately” has three games left of the season, Travis called this a “unique time” in his life but did not specify a retirement.
In January 2026, Travis addressed his next steps on his “New Heights” podcast with brother Jason, emphasizing that he plans to step back before making any final decision. Travis, who announced his engagement to Taylor Swift in August 2025, reiterated that he intends to “take some time” to “get away from the game” and spend “some time with family” before deciding. “I’m just trying to figure it all out myself, and I’ll do that with the family and friends,” he added.
That March, Travis told the Chiefs he was returning for a 14th season, ESPN reported.
Why Did Jason Kelce Retire From Football?
Travis’ brother, Jason Kelce, who played on the Philadelphia Eagles, retired from football in 2024 due to his lingering injuries. While emotionally tearing up over the hard decision, he shared at a press conference: “I announce that I am retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. Thank you, Philadelphia, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for letting me represent this city and allowing me into your homes every Sunday. Forever we shall all share the bond of being Philadelphians. That’s all I got.”
The Kelce brothers played against each other at the 2023 Super Bowl, and Travis’ team, the Kansas City Chiefs, took home the trophy.
A very emotional day for the Kelce family as Jason announces his retirement 🥹💚
(via @EliotShorrParks)pic.twitter.com/BWEzwvF0ul
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) March 4, 2024
Jason confirmed that he felt confident with the decision he made to retire. As a podcaster on his show, “New Heights,” he candidly shared the reasoning behind the choice he made, to Travis: “The physical portion is at a point that it’s not a desire to continue to do, The reality was, it was more firm than it’s ever been this year that I just don’t think physically, I can compete at the level I want to anymore, and really compete the way I want to. My elbow, a little of my knees, it’s just gotten to the point where the deterioration and the recovery from that deterioration hasn’t really manifested on game day yet, but I know it’s going to start doing that. I’m hard on myself, and if I go out there and I’m not the player I want to be, it will crush me. I feel very confident in the decision that I made. I know that it’s time. I had a really good run.”
To the GOAT. Thank you, thank you, thank you. pic.twitter.com/N4TMP2LbHH
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 4, 2024
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