Travis Kelce's Future with the Chiefs Hangs in the Balance: Will He Continue in 2025?

Travis Kelce has spent his entire 12-year NFL journey with the Kansas City Chiefs after being selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Over time, Kelce has emerged as one of the most legendary tight ends the league has ever seen. His contributions have been pivotal in the Chiefs securing three recent Super Bowl wins alongside coach Andy Reid and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. However, he fell short of adding a fourth championship to his tally in Super Bowl 59. Now, the 35-year-old faces a critical decision about his future. Although he’s still performing at peak capacity, will Kelce choose to retire after a career destined for the Hall of Fame? Or will he resist retiring after Philadelphia’s resounding 40-22 victory over the Chiefs in the Super Bowl? Here are the latest whispers about Kelce’s plans, along with the tight end’s own remarks about his aspirations to play beyond 2025.

The future beyond Super Bowl 59 remains uncertain for Kelce, but according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Sunday’s game might have been his last appearance on the field. “What I’m hearing is that Travis Kelce hasn’t yet made up his mind about playing in the 2025 season,” Rapoport revealed on NFL Network. “He thinks he still has plenty of good football ahead. He sees himself wearing a Chiefs jersey. Yet he hasn’t been entirely decisive, occasionally saying, ‘We’ll see what happens,’ as though leaving room for change.” Rapoport emphasized that Kelce’s decision differs from other high-profile retirements due to the lucrative opportunities awaiting him beyond football. Kelce is making a name for himself in media, co-hosting the “New Heights” podcast with his brother Jason and being involved with pop sensation Taylor Swift. Hence, while Rapoport suggests it’s “not only about money,” his financial future will play a role as he ponders his path.

“He’ll probably take some time post-game to reflect on his future,” Rapoport added, hinting that continuing next season isn’t a certainty.

Rapoport isn’t the only NFL expert speculating about Kelce’s ambiguous future. James Palmer of Underdog Fantasy noted that emotions ran high for Kelce during his pre-Super Bowl speech to his teammates. Kelce was moved to tears, signaling the significance of the moment. “There are those in the organization who are bracing for the possibility that this was his last game,” Palmer shared on X. He further clarified that although emotional speeches aren’t unusual for the tight end, he displayed similar sentiments before last year’s Super Bowl. Thus, it’s uncertain whether Kelce will decide to retire, despite his statements about intending to play again during Super Bowl media engagements.

When asked about his three-year outlook at Super Bowl 59 media day, Kelce conveyed his passion for football. “Hopefully still playing,” he articulated. “I cherish this game. I love coming to work daily. I believe there’s still a lot of great football left in me.” Nonetheless, Kelce acknowledged the unpredictability of his future. “We’ll see what happens,” he added. “I’ve been preparing for other ventures, recognizing football is a short-lived profession. Transitioning to another career has always been a priority, and I’ve been working on it during offseasons.” Still, if it’s up to Kelce, he envisages donning a Chiefs jersey next season: “For the most part, I plan to continue as a Kansas City Chief, playing football.”

Kelce did not appear for post-game remarks following the Chiefs’ loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl 59. However, Mahomes did and refrained from making any definitive statements about Kelce’s next steps. “I’ll leave that choice to Travis,” Mahomes shared regarding the potential of Kelce’s retirement. “He’s contributed so much to this team and the NFL, and working with him has been a pleasure for me and a thrill for the fans.” Mahomes expressed confidence that Kelce “has plenty of football left in him,” but should the 35-year-old retire, he firmly believes Kelce will one day be honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Until then, Mahomes remains patient, allowing his long-time teammate the space to decide his future at his own pace. “He’ll spend some time with his family and figure that out.”