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Chiefs Star Travis Kelce Mulls Retirement After Super Bowl
36-year-old tight end to meet with team about his future after challenging 2025 season.
Published on Feb. 8, 2026
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Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce is set to meet with the team after the Super Bowl to discuss his potential retirement, as speculation about his future has ramped up following a difficult 2025 season. At 36 years old, Kelce is considering walking away from the game, but his close relationship with head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes could convince him to return for one more year with the perennial Super Bowl contenders.
Why it matters
Kelce is one of the most dominant tight ends of his era, making the Pro Bowl 7 times. His potential retirement would be a major loss for the Chiefs, who rely heavily on his production and veteran leadership. The team is eager to have him back, but Kelce must weigh the physical toll of the game against his desire to chase another championship.
The details
Despite speculation that Kelce was ready to retire after the 2025 season, the player himself never made an official announcement. However, reports indicate he will meet with the Chiefs after the Super Bowl to finalize a decision on his future. Kelce, who is engaged to singer Taylor Swift, is quite old for an NFL player at 36 and has dealt with injuries throughout his career. But the Chiefs remain a top contender, and Kelce's close bond with coach Andy Reid and QB Patrick Mahomes could convince him to play one more season.
- Kelce will meet with the Chiefs after the 2026 Super Bowl to discuss his future.
- Kelce celebrated the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy in a recent episode of his podcast, hinting at a potential return.
The players
Travis Kelce
A 36-year-old tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs who is considering retirement after a challenging 2025 season.
Andy Reid
The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, who has a close relationship with Kelce and is hoping to convince him to return for one more season.
Patrick Mahomes
The star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, who also has a strong relationship with Kelce and would like to see him return for another year.
What they’re saying
“I can't wait to see him back in the building, man. He's one of my favorite coaches of all time, one of my favorite people of all time. I've had so many unbelievable growing moments under him as a player, as a person, and I just love the guy.”
— Travis Kelce (New Heights podcast)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
Kelce's potential retirement would be a major loss for the Chiefs, but his close relationships with the coaching staff and quarterback could convince him to return for one more run at a championship. The team is eager to have him back, but Kelce must weigh the physical toll of the game against his desire to keep playing.
