(NewsNation) — Stephen A. Smith thinks Travis Kelce, 36, may retire at the end of the current NFL season and focus on his relationship with Taylor Swift.
Smith told People magazine he had “expected” the Kansas City Chiefs tight end to be back after the Chiefs’ 2025 Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, because Kelce wouldn’t want to end his career “like that.”
Smith says that while he could leave the field due to performance issues — the Chiefs are currently 6-7 in the AFC West — the three-time Super Bowl champion has a lot of options when he eventually retires.
“I think that you could see the handwriting that’s on the wall,” he continues. “The guy is so talented, and there are so many other things that he could do outside of football that now would be the time for him to step away.”
The “First Take” commentator admits he doesn’t know anything about Kelce’s plans but suggests Swift will play a factor.
“I will tell you that that’s what I think he’s going to do,” the ESPN host said, “Obviously, he has a beautiful lady in his life, where there’s a lot of good things for him to go home to. And so, because of that, I think the combination of all of those things.”
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift wedding day may have been revealed
Kelce and Swift got engaged in August, with photos showing the footballer down on one knee proposing to the “Lover” singer in a garden adorned with pink and white roses.
The pop star wrote on Instagram, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”
The couple plans to get married on Saturday, June 13, 2026, according to Page Six.
The pop superstar and Kelce will reportedly get married at Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, near one of Taylor Swift’s homes.
Travis Kelce ventures into entertainment industry
Smith isn’t off-base about the options Kelce has once he retires — whenever that may be.
Shortly after his engagement with Swift, American Eagle announced a partnership with the Chiefs star.
The company described the collection as reflecting Kelce’s “live to play” philosophy and was created in collaboration with Kelce’s Tru Kolors brand.
The tight end served as creative director for “AE x TK by Travis Kelce” with the clothing company, American Eagle, said in a press release.
He launched his sportswear and lifestyle brand in 2019, according to the company.
The line features over 90 pieces, including varsity jackets, vintage-inspired tees and cashmere sets, the company revealed.
In recent years, Kelce has also tried his hand in the entertainment industry, having hosted “Saturday Night Live” and Amazon’s “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity.”
He’s also appeared in “Happy Gilmore 2,” alongside Ryan Murphy and in Ryan Murphy’s “Grotesquerie.”