Saturday, August 29, 2026
The FOS App Launches September 1 Pre-save on the App Store Today

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.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 20, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Dae'Quan Wright (8) runs after the catch against the Tulane Green Wave during the first half of a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

The Week That Broke College Football: Everything to Know

Football has been turned upside down as NFL players try to return.
Jan 1, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of an End Racism sign on a goalpost prior to a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive

Kaepernick’s Legacy Lives On As NFL’s Anti-Racism Messaging Continues

It’s the seventh season the league has used such messaging.
Aug 13, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; Detailed view of the NFL logo on the football during a joint scrimmage between the New Orleans Saints and the Jacksonville Jaguars during at Ochsner Sports Performance Center

NFL Won’t Reach Prediction-Market Deals Before Start of Season

“I would be incredibly shocked if anything at all happens this season.”
Feb 2, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebackers Byron Young (0) and Jared Verse (8) pose during NFC practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

TV Ratings Help Explain Why the NFL Killed the Pro Bowl

Average viewership fell by 57% in one year and 70% in four years.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation on NBA Europe, the Next NBA CBA & More with NBPA Chief David Kelly

0:00

Featured Today

Deshaun Watson Has Done the Impossible: Unite Browns Fans

Watson was named the starter after complaining boos were “personal.”
August 23, 2026

Dan Snyder ‘Invisible’ in NFL Three Years After Commanders Sale

Snyder has had little to no contact with former NFL associates.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2026 Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Burnley's Max Weiss
August 21, 2026

Why the Premier League’s Star-Power Shortage Doesn’t Matter

The world’s richest soccer league doesn’t rely on big stars to dominate.
August 12, 2026

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
Aug 23, 2026; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Jessica Pegula (USA) returns a shot against Coco Gauff (USA) during the finals of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Tennis Stars Excited About Grand Slam Council, Details Remain Sparse

Jessica Pegula says the main issue remains players’ revenue share.
August 25, 2026

Top Players Eliminated Early in Revamped US Open Mixed Doubles

Three pairs of doubles specialists lost on Tuesday.
August 27, 2026

Cameron Brink Calls Enes Kanter Freedom a ‘Stupid Piece of Shit’

Freedom was removed from a WNBA game Sunday.
Sponsored

Kerri Walsh Jennings’s Playbook for the Future of Volleyball

The former gold medalist talks NCAA, the Olympics, & investing in volleyball.
August 24, 2026

Browns Name Watson Starter in Final Season of $230M Deal

Watson called Cleveland fans “disrespectful” for booing him.
August 22, 2026

How Cincy’s $260M Facelift Overhauled the ‘Worst’ Stop in Tennis

The tournament was nearly relocated to Charlotte.
Sep 7, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Jannik Sinner (ITA) reacts against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) (not pictured) during the final of mens singles at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
August 21, 2026

Jannik Sinner Announces He Will Miss the US Open

Carlos Alcaraz announced Thursday that he will return at the US Open.
August 20, 2026

Carlos Alcaraz to Return at US Open After Four-Month Absence

It’s not yet clear if Jannik Sinner will join him.