(NewsNation) — Travis Kelce has dropped hints about retiring from the NFL after the Kansas City Chiefs failed to make the playoffs this season.
Travis Kelce was on his “New Heights” podcast with his brother Jason Kelce talking about what’s next as he looks ahead to the next season.
During a conversation about Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffering an ACL tear Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Kelce brothers discussed the recovery timeline for the Super Bowl champ.
“You know, hopefully, the Chiefs can get him back as soon as possible,” Travis Kelce said, sounding almost indifferent.
“I know right now it’s kind of right around that Week 1 or the beginning of the season next year,” he added. “I know he’s gonna be doing everything he can to get back out on that field for the Chiefs as soon as possible.”
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates after scoring during the second half an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) 
FILE – Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) kisses Taylor Swift after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers at the Super Bowl on Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) 
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt, right, is congratulated by teammate Travis Kelce (87) after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Chiefs tight end also shared that playing football in the NFL was him “living out” his dream.
“I always thought similar to what you’re saying, Trav,” Jason Kelce, who retired in 2024 after 13 seasons in the league, said. “Like, we only got three weeks left of this year’s team to play football. Like next year, it’s gonna look different. Right? Guys are gonna be back. Guys aren’t gonna be back.”
Speculation mounts about Travis Kelce’s plans
Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith told People magazine last week that Tavis Kelce may retire at the end of the current football season and focus on his relationship with music superstar Taylor Swift.
He said he “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.”
“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.”
Kelce and the “The Fate of Ophelia” singer got engaged in August and are reportedly getting married on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Travis Kelce explores the entertainment industry
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.
He launched his sportswear and lifestyle brand in 2019, according to the company.
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 Adam Sandler and in Ryan Murphy’s “Grotesquerie.”