• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Travis Kelce Shuts Down Retirement Talk: Eyes Records, Off-Field Success

 Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce is one of the most famous players in the league, but he wants to continue playing as long as possible.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

How long Travis Kelce will continue to play in the NFL is once again in the spotlight as the Chiefs prepare to face the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

Kelce, 35, is already the highest-earning tight end in league history, having made $93.94 million (all figures via Spotrac), but he’s still trailing Pro Football Hall of Famer and fellow former Chiefs star Tony Gonzalez in all three major statistical receiving categories.

At the Super Bowl Opening Night event on Monday, Kelce, whose stardom has risen astronomically since his relationship with Taylor Swift began in 2023, was asked what he thought he would be doing in three years. “I don’t know, hopefully still playing football,” he said. “I love doing this. I love coming into work every day, and I feel like I still got a lot of good football left in me. We’ll see what happens.”

Kelce will cross the $100 million career earnings mark should he play next season, with a $17.25 million salary coming his way. While he was the highest-paid tight end in the NFL this season, Kelce also cashed in off the field. 

Travis and his brother, Jason Kelce, sold their podcast, New Heights, to the Amazon-owned Wondery in a deal reported to be worth $100 million over three years. Kelce is also the host of Amazon’s game show Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?

“I know I’ve been setting myself up for other opportunities in my life,” Kelce said Monday. “That’s always been the goal, knowing that football only lasts for so long. You’ve got to find a way to get into another career, another profession. I’ve been doing that in my offseasons. But for the most part, I plan on being a Kansas City Chief and playing football.”

If chasing down on-field records is a goal for Kelce, Gonzalez leads his younger counterpart in receptions (1,325 to 1,004), yards (15,127 to 12,151), and touchdowns (111 to 77). Former Cowboys tight end Jason Witten also has more receptions (1,228) and yards (13,046) than Kelce.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) gets loose before the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Fernando Mendoza Officially Working With LinkedIn

The QB swapped his profile photo to the platform’s “Open to Work” graphic.
Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-shop tour of RI pizza places and stopped at Francesco's on Hope Street after owner Frank Schiavone got Portnoy's attention with some confident signage.

NFL: Dave Portnoy Not Banned From Super Bowl

“Mr. Portnoy can buy a ticket to the game.”

NFL Stadium Designers Battle to Win $3B Chiefs Project

The NFL team is choosing between two locally based firms to design its stadium.

Steelers Owner Says Mike McCarthy Hire Is About Wins, Not Optics

The western Pennsylvania native is just the team’s fourth head coach since 1969.

Featured Today

Tim Jenkins

How One NFL Pass Turned Into a Career on YouTube

Tim Jenkins missed the NFL. He took his football IQ to YouTube.
January 17, 2026

Sports Goes All In on Non-Alcoholic Drinks Boom

Athletes, teams, and leagues are pouring money into the NA beverage category.
Tulsa Portal House
January 16, 2026

Inside the Tulsa Portal House: ‘This Will Translate to Wins’

The Golden Hurricane set up an over-the-top battle station for football recruiting.
Black Rabbit
January 10, 2026

The Netflix Star Who Makes Sure NBA Players Have Clean Towels

How a Nets staffer landed a breakout role on “Black Rabbit.”
Aug 23, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Brooks Koepka of Smash GC lines up a putt on the 17th green during the semifinals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John's Resort.

Brooks Koepka Admits Nerves, No Regrets Ahead of PGA Tour Return

Brooks Koepka is playing in this week’s Farmers Insurance Open.
Jan 25, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Crowds during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course - South Course.
January 26, 2026

How Johnson Wagner Will Bring His Golf Shot Recreations to CBS

Johnson Wagner left Golf Channel to sign a new contract with CBS.
Mar 10, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Former Philadelphia 76ers player Allen Iverson acknowledges the crowd during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center
January 27, 2026

‘Cash Grab’: Andrew Bogut Calls Out Allen Iverson’s Australia Visit

Former Australian pro basketball players called out Iverson as “difficult.”
Sponsored

From Kobe Bryant to Tom Brady: Mike Repole’s Billion-Dollar Playbook

Mike Repole shares an inside look into building brands & working with star athletes.
January 23, 2026

Teams Move Fewer Fever Visits After Caitlin Clark’s Injury-Riddled Season

Teams could still move games ahead of the season.
January 23, 2026

UFC Fighters Looking to Redo Contracts As Paramount+ Deal Begins

Some fighters say the end of pay-per-view makes their deals “void.”
January 22, 2026

Spirit Close Deal With Rodman As NWSL Labor Dispute Looms

The NWSLPA filed a grievance against the league’s “High Impact Player” rule.
Patrick Mahomes II hits out of a sand trap during the final round of the American Century Celebrity Championship golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., Sunday, July 16, 2023.
January 22, 2026

Adidas Golf May Use Patrick Mahomes Strategy With Other Athletes

Mahomes’s contract extension includes a new golf line.