Travis Kelce Breaks Silence on Retirement Decision Ahead of 2025 NFL Season

Kelce talked about how the Super Bowl loss left him unsettled and contributed to his hesitation about the future.

“It might have made me think about it a little bit more, I think. I just had a sour taste in my mouth immediately, and like man, I can't—this can't be the last game, you know?”

He also addressed how his body feels at this point in his career and what it takes to keep performing at a high level.

"I still feel like I can do it, and I kind of wanted to give myself that full focus. When I looked back at the year and how I prepared, it's not like I was doing it wrong, but I want to give it everything."

At 35, Kelce knows the physical demands of the NFL don’t get easier.

"When you get older, you start to figure things out differently. Your body doesn’t respond like it used to. You have to focus more on preparation and recovery. During the week, you need a plan to get back to 100%. Thinking about all that, I just didn’t want to leave anything on the table."

So, what’s left for Kelce to accomplish?

"I want to give it my all and do this for the childhood dream in me, you know what I mean?"

Kelce still has one year on his 2-year, $34.2 million contract to give it his all to solidify his status as one of the greatest to ever play the position. 

He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion, four-time first-team All-Pro, ten-time Pro Bowler, and a member of the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team. He also co-hosts the popular podcast "New Heights" with his brother Jason, frequently discussing everything from football to his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.