Travis Kelce Nearing Deadline on NFL Retirement, and He’s ‘Leaning’ in a Direction
Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs faced a disappointing defeat after Super Bowl LIX. While Kelce hoped to celebrate another Super Bowl win with Taylor Swift, the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the game. Now, fans wonder whether Kelce plans on retiring from the NFL and pursuing an entertainment career. Here’s what to know about his retirement decision deadline and which way he’s allegedly “leaning.”
Travis Kelce needs to decide on his NFL retirement by March 14, 2025
Travis Kelce didn’t have his desired outcome with Super Bowl LIX. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end left the game feeling disappointed, as he hoped to help the Chiefs attain a three-peat. The loss might also impact his projected NFL retirement timeline. Kelce reportedly has to decide on his NFL career by March 14, 2025.
According to The Athletic, Kelce’s current contract runs through next season and includes an $11.5 million roster bonus due March 15, 2025.
Kelce discussed his future with sports personality Stephen A. Smith before Super Bowl LIX. Kelce explained how his desire to retire “changes every day,” though Taylor Swift is encouraging him to continue playing.
“I’ll reevaluate it like I always do, and I’ll probably tell myself how much I love this thing, and I’ll come back next year,” Kelce admitted during the interview. “But, it’s something you have to keep in perspective. I never want to get to the point where I’m not helping this team win or I’m hurting this team more than I’m helping this team.”
Another insider told DailyMail.com that Kelce didn’t feel ready to retire just yet. “Whether the Chiefs win or lose, he would want to either go for the four-peat or avenge losing in the Super Bowl and would love to try to get back there,” they concluded.
Travis Kelce is reportedly ‘leaning’ toward returning to the NFL
The sources claiming Travis Kelce wants to return to the NFL may be correct. Dianna Russini of The Athletic discussed the rumors on The Rich Eisen Show in February 2025. According to Russini, Kelce is “leaning” toward not retiring just yet.
“I can just tell you from just having a few conversations with people around the league over the last few days, there’s definitely a sense that Travis is going to try to play more,” Russini said, per KC Kingdom. “I haven’t heard anyone say, ‘Yeah, he’s really struggling with what he wants to do.’ It’s definitely leaning more toward that.”
As for how the Chiefs feel about Kelce potentially returning, Russini noted, “They feel pretty good that Travis has got a little bit more left in him.”
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end is still making moves in Hollywood
While Travis Kelce will likely choose to stick with the NFL for additional seasons, he still has one hand in the Hollywood pot. In 2025, he’s credited as an executive producer on the film My Dead Friend Zoe, starring Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris. Additionally, Kelce continues to host Are You Smarter than a Celebrity?, and he worked with Adam Sandler on Happy Gilmore 2 and showed his acting chops in Ryan Murphy’s Grotesquerie.
“Being part of My Dead Friend Zoe as an executive producer has been an incredible experience,” Kelce stated in February 2025, according to People. ” … My hope is to continue working on meaningful projects like this — stories that entertain, inspire, and make a real impact.”
The film’s director, Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, called it an “honor” to have Kelce as an executive producer.
New opportunities beyond the NFL continue to open for Kelce. “It’s been a fast, smart, efficient effort to capitalize on his sudden superstardom, and he’s done in weeks what it took Tom Brady and LeBron James years to do: establish himself as a credible actor, on-camera host, and producer to the biggest decision-makers in film and television,” an insider told Life & Style in May 2024.
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