Travis Kelce has had one whirlwind of a year—proposing to Taylor Swift, making waves on TV, and still suiting up for the Kansas City Chiefs.
But as the season moves forward, there’s an even bigger storyline hanging over him: will this be the year he finally walks away from football?
Retirement Talk Gains Momentum
The tight end is now in the last year of his two-year, $34.25 million deal with Kansas City.
Ever since the Chiefs’ crushing Super Bowl loss back in February, whispers about his retirement have only gotten louder.
Kelce himself once hinted at stepping away after that defeat, but ultimately decided to give it another go in 2025.
The Influence of Family and Love
This summer, Kelce got engaged to Taylor Swift in a carefully planned proposal that the couple kept private for weeks.
According to a source close to him, his decision about retiring won’t come down to pressure from Taylor or anyone else.
“Taylor is not going to be the Gisele or Yoko of Travis and his career,” the source stressed, making it clear she wants him to choose for himself.
His brother, Jason Kelce, has also been a huge influence. Jason retired earlier and quickly transitioned into a thriving TV career—showing Travis that life after football can still be fulfilling.
What Could Push Him Toward Retirement
The insider revealed that while Travis “anticipates” this being his final season, a handful of things could sway him.
Chief among them is how the season plays out.
If Kansas City makes it to the Super Bowl—and especially if they win—it could serve as the perfect farewell.
But if the Chiefs struggle, doubt may creep back in, possibly leaving the door open for one more year.
The Chiefs Are Still Interested
Kansas City isn’t closing the book just yet.
The organization would reportedly be willing to offer Kelce another contract if he wants to continue.
Ultimately, though, the decision rests entirely with him.
A Memorable Proposal and Public Debut
Away from the gridiron, Kelce’s proposal to Swift made headlines everywhere.
When he finally introduced her as his fiancée during a college football game at Arrowhead Stadium, he admitted he still felt giddy about the whole thing. “It was pretty cool,” he said, recalling the moment.
Balancing Football and Fame
This isn’t the first summer Kelce has packed his schedule full.
Last year, he tagged along with Swift on her Eras Tour, while also diving into TV and film projects like Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity, Grotesquerie, and even a cameo in Happy Gilmore 2.
But he later admitted that spreading himself too thin hurt his football focus.
This summer, he slimmed down and doubled down on preparation, but it still wasn’t enough to prevent an opening loss to Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers in São Paulo.
What’s Next for Kelce?
For now, Kelce is focused on the season at hand.
Whether it ends with another Super Bowl ring or an early exit, the decision about retirement will come after the final whistle.
The source close to him summed it up best: he’s leaning toward leaving, but the choice will be his alone.