Is Travis Kelce already thinking about playing beyond 2025 NFL season?

A recent report hinted that tight end Travis Kelce, who is in the final year of his contract, was preparing his body for a "last dance" season with the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of his expected retirement. 

While speaking with reporters at the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, Kelce suggested he could continue playing beyond his 37th birthday, which he'll celebrate in October 2026.

"I got one year on this contract, I know that, and we'll try and figure out something for next year," Kelce said about his uncertain future, as shared by Michael Baca of the NFL's website. "The Chiefs organization knows how much I love them. I can't see myself ever playing anywhere else. We'll deal with that down the road when the time is right, but right now I'm focused on winning a championship this year."

Kelce has been the subject of retirement rumors since he noted in the fall of 2023 that "the lingering injuries—the 10 surgeries I’ve had that I still feel every single surgery to this day" had him thinking about calling time on his playing days "nonstop" and "more than anyone could ever imagine." However, he made it clear this past March that he still believes he can perform "at a high level and possibly at a higher level than I did last year." 

Kelce finished the 2024 regular season with career lows (outside of when he appeared in just one game as a rookie during the 2013 campaign) of 823 receiving yards and three touchdown catches.

"I love football. I don't think I really thought about it that much," Kelce said Wednesday about running it back with the Chiefs for at least one more season. "...I love coming into work every single day. It wasn't a very tough one for me. I know I'm getting older, but at the same time, I still feel like I've got a lot I can prove in this league. With that being said, it really wasn't that hard of a decision for me."

Kelce's much-publicized relationship with entertainment superstar Taylor Swift and his numerous off-the-field business endeavors keep him busy away from football fields. Some think he could essentially pick where he'd want to work as an on-air NFL analyst as soon as next year.

For now, the three-time Super Bowl champion and future first-ballot Hall of Famer is focused on featuring for the Chiefs through February 2026. 

"I'm only interested in Super Bowl rings,'' Kelce added about the Chiefs receiving rings for winning this past January's AFC Championship Game, per Adam Teicher of ESPN. "...Last year wasn't a success for me and I'm motivated to make sure that we get that other ring this year.''