Travis Kelce Inspired by Taylor Swift's Career to Keep Playing for Chiefs

The NFL star says seeing his fiancée's continued success motivated him to return for his 14th season.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 12:54am

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Travis Kelce, the 36-year-old tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, has decided to return for his 14th NFL season. In an interview, Kelce revealed that he was partly inspired by the continued success and drive of his fiancée, pop superstar Taylor Swift, to keep playing the game he loves.

Why it matters

Kelce's decision to return to the Chiefs is significant, as the team missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2014. His continued presence will be crucial as the Chiefs look to bounce back and compete for another Super Bowl title. Additionally, Kelce's relationship with Taylor Swift has captured the attention of many fans, making his decision all the more intriguing.

The details

Kelce said that seeing Swift "keep going to the table, keep finding new things to write about, keep finding new melodies and things like that" and still maintaining her "love and joy" for her work motivated him to keep playing. He added that "something like that definitely motivates me to say, 'You know what, I'm not done, either.' I've still got some ideas in the back of my mind and still got some juice left to play this game."

  • Kelce and Swift have been dating since 2023.
  • Kelce and Swift got engaged in August 2025.
  • Kelce announced his decision to return to the Chiefs for the 2026 season on March 10, 2026.

The players

Travis Kelce

A 36-year-old tight end who has played his entire 14-year NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning three Super Bowls with the team.

Taylor Swift

A Grammy-winning pop superstar who is engaged to Travis Kelce.

Patrick Mahomes

The quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, with whom Kelce has played for the majority of his career.

Andy Reid

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, who Kelce credits as a key reason for his decision to return.

Eric Bieniemy

The offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, who Kelce is excited to continue working with.

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What they’re saying

“Without a doubt, that's motivating for anybody to see, let alone my fiancée, knowing that I'm going through something where I'm trying to figure out exactly what the future holds for me. Something like that definitely motivates me to say, 'You know what, I'm not done, either.' I've still got some ideas in the back of my mind and still got some juice left to play this game.”

— Travis Kelce, NFL Player (The Pat McAfee Show)

What’s next

Kelce and the Chiefs will look to bounce back from missing the playoffs last season and compete for another Super Bowl championship in the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

Kelce's decision to return for another season, inspired in part by his fiancée Taylor Swift's continued success, demonstrates the power of a supportive partner and the drive to keep pursuing one's passion, even in the face of setbacks. This story highlights the unique relationship between two high-profile celebrities and the ways in which they can motivate each other to achieve their goals.