Donna Kelce Unsure About Travis Kelce's NFL Future

Travis Kelce's mother says he must consult family as he weighs retirement decision

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Donna Kelce, the mother of NFL star Travis Kelce, says she is uncertain about her son's future in the league. Travis, 36, has played his entire career with the Kansas City Chiefs but has not yet decided whether he will return for another season or retire. Donna Kelce says Travis needs to talk to the people in his life to decide what he wants to do.

Why it matters

Travis Kelce is one of the NFL's top tight ends, having made the Pro Bowl six times. His potential retirement would be a major loss for the Chiefs and the league. Donna Kelce's comments indicate the decision is still up in the air, leaving fans and the team uncertain about the team's future at the position.

The details

Travis Kelce was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013 and has played for the team his entire career. The Chiefs did not make the playoffs for the first time in 10 years ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl, and Kelce has not clarified whether he plans to return for another season or retire. In a December 2025 interview, Kelce said he was 'still searching for those answers' about his future, citing factors like the grind of the season beyond just game days. In a January 2026 press conference, Kelce said he was unsure if the decision would 'hit me quick or I'm gonna need a little time'.

  • In a December 2025 interview, Travis Kelce discussed weighing his NFL future.
  • In a January 2026 press conference, Kelce said he was still unsure about his decision.

The players

Donna Kelce

The mother of NFL players Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce.

Travis Kelce

A 36-year-old tight end who has played his entire NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jason Kelce

The older brother of Travis Kelce, who played 13 seasons as a center for the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring in 2024.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I just want him to do what he feels comfortable doing. He's got to talk to, you know, people that are in his life to decide what he wants to do.”

— Donna Kelce, Mother of Travis Kelce (TMZ)

“First things first, I love this team. I'm proud of the way we finished it even though it ended the way it did. Guys still showed up, gave it their all, and that's all you can ask for. Either it hits me quick or I'm gonna need a little time. We'll see.”

— Travis Kelce (Press conference)

“In my opinion, to nail that decision, you have to step away from the game for a little bit. Play these last three games, enjoy them with your teammates, enjoy them with your coaches. The team's going to be different no matter whether you come back or not next year.”

— Jason Kelce, Older brother of Travis Kelce (Monday Night Countdown)

What’s next

Donna Kelce and the Kelce family will likely continue to support Travis as he weighs his decision about whether to retire or return for another NFL season.

The takeaway

Travis Kelce's potential retirement would be a significant loss for the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL, given his status as one of the league's top tight ends. His mother's uncertainty about his future plans highlights the personal and family factors that go into such a major career decision for professional athletes.