How the Sports World Has Discussed Travis Kelce’s Potential Retirement

Travis Kelce’s future has develop into probably the most hotly-debated topic of the early NFL offseason. 

After Kelce, 35, and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have been defeated 40-22 by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, all eyes turned to the famous person tight finish, who has not introduced whether or not or not he’ll return to the gridiron subsequent yr. 

Kelce — whose contract runs via subsequent season and consists of an $11.5 million bonus due on March 15 — has until March 14 to tell the Chiefs of his determination, in line with The Athletic. 

“I do know everyone desires to know whether or not or not I’m enjoying subsequent yr and proper now I’m simply kicking all the things down the street,” Kelce mentioned on the February 12 episode of his “New Heights” podcast. “I’m not making any loopy choices, however proper now the most important factor is simply being there for my teammates and being there for my coaches, understanding that lots that goes into this factor.”

Related: Travis Kelce Cried During Pre-Super Bowl Speech to Chiefs Teammates

Travis Kelce bought emotional in entrance of his Kansas Metropolis Chiefs teammates earlier than the 2025 Tremendous Bowl. NFL reporter James Palmer appeared on the Wednesday, February 12, episode of Up & Adams With Kay Adams as questions come up about Kelce’s future within the league following the Chiefs’ disappointing efficiency in Tremendous Bowl LIX. Palmer revealed […]

Kelce continued, “You realize, I’ve been lucky over the previous 5, six years — I’ve performed extra soccer than anyone. And it’s as a result of [of] the folks which are in that constructing and the truth that we preserve going to those AFC Championships and these Tremendous Bowls, which means I’m enjoying an additional three video games greater than everyone else in your entire league. That’s loads of put on and tear in your physique and it’s loads of time spent within the constructing focusing in your craft, specializing in the duty at hand … and that course of will be grueling. It could weigh on you.”

Preserve scrolling to see what the remainder of the NFL world has mentioned about Kelce’s potential retirement: 

Peyton Manning

Corridor of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, who retired from the NFL after 18 seasons in March 2016, offered up some advice to Kelce within the case he does resolve to hold up his cleats. 

“I hope he takes a while and he doesn’t make a rushed determination,” Manning, 48, informed E! Information on the Saturday Evening Dwell fiftieth Anniversary Particular on Sunday, February 16.

Manning added, “So, the very last thing you need to do is say, ‘OK, I’m going to decide now.’ Take a while. Take a full month. Let some issues digest and settle down. He could make a greater determination then.”

Colin Cowherd

Fox Sports activities’ Colin Cowherd argued it’s time for Kelce and the Chiefs to part ways. 

“That is the right time for a clear break. He’s bought tons of cash, a number of choices,” Cowherd, 61, mentioned February 13 on his FS1 present, The Herd. “I believe one of many errors basketball [and] soccer groups do is that they cling to the tip. It’s time for a clear break. He’s costly, he’s a good finish, this can be a good tight finish draft, in the event that they have been gonna transfer up and be aggressive exterior of left deal with, it’d be for [a] tight finish.”

Cowherd added, “He blocks, he’s powerful, the physicality, the temperament, however it could be time to stop. You begin Travis Kelce during the last seven years; he’s performed one other season of NFL soccer for playoff video games, and we ask our tight ends to dam usually the very best athlete on the opposite facet of the sector.”

Craig Carton

Sports activities radio character Craig Carton, who cohosts FS1’s Breakfast Ball, pushed again when his cohost, NFL legend Mark Schlereth, prompt Kelce develop into a “situational participant” for the Chiefs. 

“I don’t suppose you’ll be able to ask him to be a job participant, third-down solely sort of man,” Carson mentioned February 17 on Breakfast Ball. “Isn’t he higher off simply retiring at that time? I’m saying ego-wise.”

Jason Kelce

Kelce’s older brother, Jason Kelce, promoted endurance when it got here to Travis determining his future. 

On a February episode of “New Heights,” Jason, 37, who retired from the NFL after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2024, informed Travis to “take your time” and “get away” from the noise earlier than making a call. 

Patrick Mahomes

Travis’ good pal and quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, discussed Travis’ uncertain path ahead instantly after dropping within the Tremendous Bowl. 

“I’ll let Travis make that call on his personal,” Mahomes informed reporters. “He’s given a lot to this workforce and to the NFL and been such a pleasure not just for me to work with however [for] folks to observe. Nevertheless it’s if he desires to place in that grind. It’s a grind to go on the market and play 20 video games, no matter it’s, and get to the Tremendous Bowl.”

Mahomes, 29, added, “I do know he nonetheless has love for the sport. He’ll get to spend a while along with his household and make that call on his personal, however he is aware of he’ll come again right here with open arms.”

Charles Omenihu

Chiefs defensive finish Charles Omenihu gave a passionate pitch for Travis to return to the workforce subsequent season. 

“This may be my message to Trav: ‘Massive dawg, like, we, the entire group, can’t exit like that,’” Omenihu, 27, mentioned February 13 on Fox Sports activities’ The Facility.

The Chiefs defensive finish added, “He’s a Corridor of Famer from the second he says, ‘I’m achieved,’ proper?’ However I believe Trav has lots left, I believe Trav is an excessive competitor, I believe he’s someone that loves the sport. I believe within the storied profession that he’s had, going out like that, for my part, wouldn’t be one thing that he would do.”

Stephen A. Smith

In discussing whether or not or not Travis ought to retire, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith answered, “I’m gonna say no.”

“I do know Travis Kelce a little bit bit and it’s an actual exhausting time for him proper now,” Smith, 57, mentioned February 13 on First Take. “The Tremendous Bowl efficiency is one thing that shouldn’t actually hinder him. I assume the rationale why I might lean in direction of him not retiring is after I suppose you’re a three-time champion, you’re as elite as he’s, you don’t need to exit like that, the way in which they went out on this explicit Tremendous Bowl.”

Dianna Russini

Dianna Russini, senior NFL insider for The Athletic, hinted that Travis is trending towards a return to the Chiefs. 

“I can simply let you know from having a couple of conversations with folks across the league over the previous couple of days there’s undoubtedly a way that Travis goes to attempt to play extra,” Russini mentioned Wednesday, February 19, on The Wealthy Eisen Present. “I haven’t heard anybody say, ‘Yeah, he’s actually combating what he desires to do.’”

She added, “That is going to be his determination, his determination solely. However for this Chiefs’ operation trying to transfer ahead right here, I believe they really feel fairly good that Travis has bought a little bit bit extra left in him.”