Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ legendary tight end, finds himself at the center of retirement rumors.
Since becoming the Chiefs’ all-time touchdown leader with his 77th receiving score in a 29-10 Christmas Day victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, whispers about his potential exit have grown louder.
Dan Orlovsky Backs Travis Kelce for One Last Ride
Kelce’s performance helped Kansas City clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed, but questions linger about his form and future in the league. Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky gave his opinion on Kelce’s future on “First Take,” suggesting retirement could be on the table if the Chiefs secure an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl victory.
“If he goes and has that vintage Kelce performance, which I think he’s capable of and will do, and they go on to three-peat, I think retirement becomes a very real thing for Travis Kelce — there would be nothing else to accomplish,” Orlovsky stated.
.@danorlovsky7 says Travis Kelce has "one great run left" in his NFL career 👀
"If he goes and has that vintage Kelce performance … and [the Chiefs] go on to three-peat, I think retirement becomes a very real thing." 👏 pic.twitter.com/SVEWmohH4r
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 16, 2025
FS1’s Nick Wright also had similar sentiments last week, calling the upcoming playoff run potentially Kelce’s end. “I’m just telling everyone. These might be his final three games in the NFL. It’s certainly on the board,” Wright said.
Kelce, however, hasn’t openly addressed the retirement chatter. He said he’d play earlier in the year until the “wheels fall off.” The 35-year-old TE admitted it would be difficult to leave a sport that has defined much of his life. “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,” Kelce explained. “It’s going to be hard to figure out when to call it quits.”
This season, Kelce’s numbers have dropped compared to his usual dominance. His three touchdowns were a career low in the regular season. However, in the Chiefs’ time-tested offense led by Patrick Mahomes, Kelce’s leadership and clutch performances have been key.
Kansas City enters the playoffs with sky-high expectations, leaning on its veteran stars to overcome a challenging path to another title. The team led by head coach Andy Reid boasts impressive defensive improvements, ranking seventh in red-zone stops this year. Mahomes remains a top-10 quarterback by PFN QB+ metrics (84.4).
Whether this playoff run marks the end of Kelce’s illustrious career or another chapter in his Hall of Fame legacy, one thing is clear: Chiefs fans are bracing for an emotional ride. Should he choose to hang up his cleats, Kelce’s departure would end an era of dominance that he established alongside Mahomes.