There is growing speculation that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce could be retiring after this season.
In other words, if C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans pull off the upset tomorrow, it could be the very last time we see Kelce on a football field.
A cornerstone of the Chiefs since 2013, Kelce has established himself as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.
Despite posting career lows in receiving yards and touchdowns this season, the 35-year-old All-Pro remains optimistic heading into the playoffs.
On the latest episode of his podcast, New Heights, Kelce shared his mindset for the postseason, emphasizing his desire to compete against the best as the Chiefs attempt to pull off a historic Super Bowl three-peat.
“I want to slay every dragon one by one, like Mortal Kombat,” Kelce said.
However, FOX Sports personality Nick Wright fueled retirement rumors during an episode of First Things First earlier this week.
While predicting a stellar postseason for Kelce, Wright suggested the star tight end might hang up his cleats after this year.
“I’m just telling everyone. These might be his final three games in the NFL. It’s certainly on the board,” Wright said.
“You are about to see a throwback, peak Travis Kelce performance. I told you all year that I thought he had five or six great games in him.
“He used up one in the regular season after Rashee Rice got hurt and before they got DeAndre Hopkins because the team needed it to stabilize.”
Wright’s comments have sparked discussions among fans about how much longer Kelce will remain in the league.
Currently under contract through the 2025 season, Kelce has not indicated a definitive timeline for retirement.
Kelce addressed the possibility of retirement before the start of the 2024 season, expressing how deeply he values the game and the joy it brings to his life.
“I just love football and how it takes me away from life and it gives me something I can feel genuinely happy about,” he said at the time.
“I enjoy coming in the building, working on my craft, getting to understand a new game plan and perfecting that for the people around me.
“It gives me a purpose to kind of go about my day and to live my life, and I just have so much excitement doing it. It’s going to be hard trying to figure out when to call it quits or not.”
Kelce’s accomplishments in the NFL are monumental.
A three-time Super Bowl champion, 10-time Pro Bowler, and the postseason record-holder for receptions, he has redefined the tight end position.
Kelce is also tied with Jerry Rice for the most playoff games with at least 100 receiving yards, a testament to his ability to elevate his game on the biggest stage.
Adding extra fuel to the retirement speculation is Kelce’s relationship with girlfriend Taylor Swift.
Whether it ends up happening or not, many fans think that Kelce is hell-bent on winning a third-straight Super Bowl so he can go out on top and retire in the grandest way imaginable.
What are your thoughts on the rumors that Kelce could be retiring after this season?
Do you think Swift will play any factor in his decision???
