Travis Kelce Admits He Still Hasn’t Made up His Mind About Possible Retirement After Patrick Mahomes’ Injury

Ahead of the Chiefs Week 17 game against the Broncos, Travis Kelce spoke with former Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez about retirement.

Travis Kelce Admits He Still Hasn’t Made up His Mind About Possible Retirement After Patrick Mahomes’ Injury

Travis Kelce (Image via IMAGO)

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Travis Kelce sat down with Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez for a one-on-one interview for Prime Video ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 17 fixture against the Denver Broncos, which could be his final game at Arrowhead Stadium before retiring from football.

The Chiefs didn’t have a great season. For the first time since Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback, the Kansas City franchise crashed out of playoff contention in mid-December.

Kelce, on the other hand, capped off a decent year. Even at 36, he leads the Chiefs with 65+ receptions, 800+ yards, and 5 touchdowns. However, the big question is, how long can Kelce perform at an elite level? Or, decide to retire after the Raiders game in the final week of the regular season?

Prime Video chose Gonzalez, an ex-Chief, to seek the answers that every football fan wants to know. In his reply, Kelce revealed that he will make a final decision after the season is over.

I think I’m still searching for those answers [on possible retirement]. Obviously, the way the season has ended with a sour taste in my mouth. I feel motivated, but I gotta make the right decision for me.

Travis Kelce told Gonzalez

Kelce had the option of ending his career after the Chiefs lost in last season’s Super Bowl. He opted to stay for one more year and honor the two-year, $34.25 million contract he signed before the 2024 season. It is set to run out at the end of the current season.

If I do want to come back, and [if] the Chiefs are willing to bring me back… It’s a two-way street. But at this point, in this year, I am just trying to finish out and give Chiefs Kingdom everything I have got, and go out there and play with some flair that you said I do it with.

Travis Kelce said

Kelce is leaning on his brother, Jason Kelce, who retired last year at 36. Speaking on the ESPN Gameday show, Jason sent a message to his younger sibling.

In my opinion, to nail that decision, you gotta step away from the game for a little bit. Play these last three games [now one], enjoy them with your teammates, enjoy them with your coaches… sink in. It’ll come to you with time.

Jason Kelce said

Travis Kelce thanked Tony Gonzalez for creating a roadmap for football players

Kelce is one of the greatest TE’s of all time. He was just named to the Pro Bowl for the eleventh time in his career (tied with former Cowboys Jason Witten). Moreover, he’s a multiple-time All-Pro and has three Super Bowls.

Travis Kelce Admits He Still Hasn't Made up His Mind About Possible Retirement After Patrick Mahomes' Injury
Travis Kelce (Image via IMAGO)

He could choose to step away from football at any moment, much like Gonzalez did during his career. While Gonzalez never secured a championship ring, he redefined the modern tight end position. Following his retirement, Gonzalez pursued opportunities in acting and reality television, and is now part of the Prime gameday crew.

Kelce looked up to Gonzalez while growing up in Cleveland Heights. However, he never had the chance to share the same locker room. TG had left to play for the Falcons by the time Kelce entered the league.

I still have a lot of love for this game, man. If I feel like, if I came back, it would be to just answer that flame in my heart that I still love this thing. And I have been very fortunate to handle things on the field and off the field, to separate myself up and follow in the footsteps of guys like Tony Gonzalez into the booth, if that’s something that I want to do… Obviously, stay around the game somehow, someway.

Travis Kelce said

Gonzalez hung up his cleats at 37, but he contemplated retirement even earlier than that as he chased the elusive Super Bowl ring. Kelce doesn’t have to. His mantlepiece back home is laden with silverware. That doesn’t mean he can’t continue to chase a fourth.

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