Travis Kelce Makes Raw Confession on Retirement in the Wake of Super Bowl 59 Loss: “This Can’t Be the Last Game”

Travis Kelce did plan to think about retiring from football if the Chiefs had managed to win the Super Bowl but canceled because they lost to the Eagles.

Travis Kelce Makes Raw Confession on Retirement in the Wake of Super Bowl 59 Loss: “This Can’t Be the Last Game”

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce (Image via IMAGO)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Travis Kelce’s 12th season in the Chiefs red came very close to becoming his final in football. He contemplated retirement and his life after football with his girlfriend, Taylor Swift. However, circumstances prevented the star tight end from hanging up his boots.

The weeks after the disappointing defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59 were difficult for Kelce. He had to make a judgment call on his career—either retire as a 3x Super Bowl champion or come back and fight for a fourth.

Kelce chose the latter because he did not feel comfortable ending his career with a defeat in the Super Bowl. When the host of Barstool Sports, Bussin the Boys, asked Kelce whether the Super Bowl defeat helped him decide his future, the 35-year-old replied,

It might have made me think about it a little bit more. I think I just had a sour taste in my mouth immediately, and this can’t be the last game, you know.

He will turn 36 in 2025, but his skill remains. Kelce admits competing with younger players will be tough, as he has lost some of his explosive athleticism.

The preparation and being there and being ready and throughout the week, you gotta have more of a plan to get back to 100%. And I think… Thinking about all those things, it was like I don’t wanna leave anything out there, and I wanna give it my all and make sure I do this for the childhood dream in me—“Man, I want to make this the best thing ever

Kelce said

Kelce played 19 games in the 2024-25 season (including playoffs). He caught 110 passes for 950+ yards and 4 touchdowns.

What will Travis Kelce do after retiring from football?

Retirement life is not straightforward, especially for athletes who dedicated their lives to honing their skills. However, those particular skills become moot after they stop playing.

Travis Kelce Makes Raw Confession on Retirement in the Wake of Super Bowl 59 Loss: "This Can't Be the Last Game"
Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice, and Travis Kelce (Image via IMAGO)

The choices were very limited in the previous era. Coaching teams or becoming a scout were the primary paths of survival. Very few thought outside of the box. The situation has undergone a drastic change in the last decade. Players these days diversify their interests even before announcing their retirement.

Kelce, for example, started his podcast journey with his brother and retired Eagles center Jason Kelce. He also dabbled in Hollywood by hosting game shows and making guest appearances in TV dramas. However, there’s still one other field Travis Kelce wants to explore.

I wanna see what calling a game feels like… Getting in the booth.

Kelce told Lewan

Lewan and co-host Will Compton brought up Tom Brady’s name. The 7x Super Bowl winner made his debut as an announcer for FOX Sports last season after signing a 10-year contract.

It was a ton of money. I have always felt like, impersonated guys that call games while growing up, and I always thought it would be fun.

Kelce said

Unfortunately, Lewan and Compton did not get the pleasure of watching Kelce cover a clip because Kelce felt too shy to go through with it.

The Chiefs fans would love to see Kelce succeed the voice of Kansas City football, Mitch Holthus. The legendary play-by-play announcer has covered the AFC West giants since 1994.

However, Kelce has unfinished business as a football player. He still wants to win games and lift another Lombardi Trophy.

Also Read: