Total Pro Sports
Travis Kelce ended the NFL season without a contract and with more questions than answers. The Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end watched a rough year close with a 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, the league’s worst team. That loss capped a shocking 6-11 season and kept the Chiefs out of the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Kelce’s contract expired when the season ended, making the three-time Super Bowl champion officially unsigned. He joked about it on the latest episode of the New Heights podcast, which he hosts with his brother Jason.
“I am officially jobless, Jason,” Kelce said. “In fact this is my only job. This is the only company that employs me right now.”
Behind the joke sat a real decision. At 36, Kelce once again faces the question of retirement after 13 seasons with the Chiefs. He did not give a final answer though he did mention about this matter earlier. But now he did offer a clear hint.
Kelce said he still loves football and has not lost that feeling. He stressed that his body will make the call.
“There’s a lot of love for the game still, and I don’t think I’ll ever lose that,” Kelce said on New Heights. “If my body can heal up and rest and I can feel confident that I can go out there and give it another 18, 20, 21-week run, I think I would do it in a heartbeat.”
Kelce plans to take time away before deciding. He said he wants a few weeks to feel normal again after the grind of the season. “I just put my feet up and be a human,” he said.
Even with the Chiefs’ struggles, Kelce still had a strong season. He finished with 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He also became only the third tight end in NFL history to reach 13,000 career receiving yards.
Still, the season hurt. Kelce called it embarrassing and painful. He pointed to injuries across the team, including a late injury to quarterback Patrick Mahomes. “It’s a tough way to go out,” he said.
Kelce also revealed that he already spoke with Chiefs officials during exit meetings. “They know where I stand for now,” he said.
If Kelce retires, broadcasting sits as an obvious option, much like Jason Kelce and Tom Brady, which will surely give him a huge amount of money. He said he will not rush that choice either.
One thing is clear. Kelce has said he would only play for Kansas City. As he thinks about football, he is also getting ready for his wedding to fiancee Taylor Swift this summer. The next chapter is coming, and Kelce will make his decision when he feels ready both physically and mentally.
