As the NFL world buzzes with speculation, Travis Kelce is carefully weighing his future in the league following the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The star tight end’s uncertain stance on returning for the 2025 season has left the football world pondering whether he’s ready to retire after a legendary career.
The 35-year-old Kelce had one of the worst performances of his career in Kansas City’s nightmare loss to the Eagles.
He recorded just 39 yards – the fewest of his five career Super Bowl appearances – after a historic streak of 14 consecutive playoff games with at least 70 receiving yards was snapped in the AFC Championship Game.
Many are wondering just how much he has left in the tank – and if he even has the hunger or desire to continue playing.
Appearing on ESPN’s SportsCenter, former NFL defensive lineman Booger McFarland weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Kelce’s contemplation of retirement signals that it may be time to walk away from the game.
“I retired from the National Football League after nine years. I knew it was time to retire when I was thinking about retirement,” McFarland said. “The fact that Travis Kelce – who is a first-ballot Hall of Famer – is thinking about retiring, I think it’s time for him to go on.”
McFarland also expressed concerns about Kelce’s physical and mental readiness to continue.
“His physical skills are diminishing a little bit. I thought he played his worst football game that I’ve ever seen him play in the Super Bowl,” McFarland continued. “I get it. You don’t want to go out on that note. But at some point, let’s not tarnish the legacy that you built.”
Despite McFarland’s perspective, it seems Kelce isn’t fully sold on the idea of walking away just yet. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Kelce is “leaning toward” returning for the 2025 season.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic also offered some optimism about Kelce’s future. She told Rich Eisen that the Chiefs are feeling confident about Kelce’s decision to continue playing.
“There’s definitely a sense that Travis is gonna try to play more,” Russini revealed. “I haven’t heard anyone say, ‘Yeah, he’s really struggling with what he wants to do.'”
Kelce himself addressed his future on his New Heights podcast, saying that he’s “kicking everything down the road” and taking his time to process his options after the disastrous Super Bowl loss.
“That process can be grueling. It can weigh on you. It can make you better, and it can drive you crazy at the same time,” Kelce said. “Right now, it’s one of those things where it was kind of driving me crazy this year. And I think that it happens as you tail off toward the back nine of your career.”
Kelce didn’t mince words when reflecting on his Super Bowl performance, calling it “a tough pill to swallow.” But despite the brutal end to the season, he remains uncertain about his future, stating that he believes he still has the ability to play.
“I think I can play, Kelce said. “It’s just whether or not I’m motivated or it’s the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility.”
Kelce is one of the greatest tight ends of all-time and he has a sure spot in Canton waiting for him.
Having said that, if he still has his competitive juices flowing, there’s no way he wants to end his career on THAT note. (It’s fair to wonder if he planned to retire, and perhaps propose to Taylor Swift, had they won.)
Regardless, we most likely won’t have to wait too much longer before we find out what his plans are.
What’s your best guess? … Will we see Kelce back on the football field next season???
