Is Super Bowl LIX the final game for Travis Kelce?

At this moment, the answer is uncertain.

During this week’s episode of the New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother Jason, Travis Kelce shared that he plans to take some time to decide if he wants to fully commit to playing in 2025.

“I understand everyone is eager to know if I’ll be playing next year, and honestly, I’m just postponing any decisions,” he stated. “I’m pushing every decision down the road for now. The main focus is being present for my teammates and coaches, recognizing that there’s a lot at stake. Over the past five or six years, I’ve had the privilege of playing more football than anyone else, largely because of the support in our organization. The fact that we’ve consistently reached AFC Championships and Super Bowls means I’ve played three more games than most players each year, which takes a toll on the body and demands significant dedication to my craft and responsibilities.”

“The experience can be exhausting, and it comes with its challenges. This year, I found it particularly taxing. As I progress into the latter stages of my career, as SVP from ESPN puts it, not achieving the level of success I once did is difficult to accept. Missing key moments when my team relies on me adds to the emotional strain. It’s a challenging reality to confront.”

“I believe I need to take some time to assess my future. If I do choose to return, it must be a fully committed decision; I don’t want to approach it half-heartedly. I want to be completely invested in supporting my teammates. I’m confident I can still play, but I need to ensure that it’s the right choice for me personally and whether I’m motivated to take on that responsibility.”

At 35 years old, Kelce’s performance has seen a decline over the last two seasons, but he previously made history as a tight end with seven consecutive seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards. In 2024, he recorded 97 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns, setting a franchise record for touchdown receptions. He also added 13 receptions for 175 yards and one touchdown in three playoff appearances.

A three-time Super Bowl champion, Kelce boasts 1,004 career receptions for 12,151 yards and 77 touchdowns in regular-season play. In the postseason, he has amassed 178 receptions for 2,078 yards and 20 touchdowns across 25 games.