As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for a historic Super Bowl 59 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, one lingering question surrounds the team — will this be Travis Kelce’s final game?
The 35-year-old tight end has hinted at the possibility of retirement, though nothing is set in stone. One thing is clear regardless of what Kelce decides: his impact on the Chiefs goes far beyond his on-field production. Ahead of the Super Bowl, quarterback Patrick Mahomes addressed Kelce’s impact in Kansas City and retirement rumors.
Travis Kelce Continuing Beyond Super Bowl 59 Is Good for Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes understands exactly what Kelce brings to the Chiefs’ table as a player and leader.
“He’s focused on the ultimate mission of being the best football player that he can be. More than he even wants to do it for himself, he loves being in the building with his teammates and being a part of that. He practices so hard and keeps himself in such good shape that I believe that he can play as long as he wants to play.
“Hopefully, he does play another three years because that’s good for me,” Mahomes smiled.
Patrick Mahomes on Travis Kelce saying he wants to play for another 3 years:
“Hopefully he does play another 3 years because that’s good for me.” pic.twitter.com/Kj21nJ15sK
— Tucker D. Franklin (@tuckerdfranklin) February 5, 2025
Beyond their connection, Mahomes emphasized Kelce’s relentless work ethic and its influence on the entire locker room.
“It’s the level of leadership,” Mahomes said. “[He’s] someone that comes to work every single day. Obviously, with his career, he could take reps off and he can kind of wait to play the game days, but that’s not his personality. He wants to be out there, he wants to put the work in. Whenever you have your Hall of Fame guy putting the work in, it bleeds to the rest of the football team.”
Kelce Focused on Present With Chiefs, but Retirement Looms
In typical Kelce style, he’s locked in and fully embraces every part of the journey as Kansas City aims to make history as the first team to win three straight Super Bowls. But with a Hall of Fame career winding down, questions about his future continue to surface.
As most players on the brink of retirement say, Kelce feels he’s still got it in him.
“I love doing this. I love coming into work every day and I still feel like I still got a lot of good football left in me,” Kelce said on Feb. 3.
#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce was asked about the future of his football career:
"Where will I be in 3 years? Hopefully still playing football…For the most part, I plan on being a Kansas City Chief and playing football."#SuperBowlLIX | #ChiefsKingdom | @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/31IIdB3NYy
— Matt Foster (@MattFosterTV) February 4, 2025
“I know I’ve been setting myself up for other opportunities in my life,” said Kelce. “That’s always been the goal, knowing that football only lasts for so long. You’ve got to find a way to get into another career, another profession. I’ve been doing that in my offseasons. But for the most part, I plan on being a Kansas City Chief and playing football.”
At 35, Kelce has nothing left to prove. He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion, a perennial All-Pro, and one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. But his love for the game and the fellowship with teammates like Mahomes continues to fuel him.
Contemplating retirement is for another day. For now, Kelce is playing on a two-year contract extension inked last spring, making him the highest-paid tight end currently and in NFL history.
Whether or not this is his final Super Sunday, Kelce remains fixated on that fourth ring.