Thursday, September 10, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

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

Kenny Albert Fox Sports

Kenny Albert on His Broadcasting Family, 60 Stadiums, Missing RedZone

Albert is Fox’s longest-tenured NFL play-by-play man.
NBC Sports Mike Tomlin
Opinion

Mike Tomlin Shines in NBC Sports Debut

Tomlin’s regular-season debut was one of the highlights of NBC’s coverage.

Novig CEO: Sydney Sweeney Ad Puts Us in ‘National Discourse’

Sweeney got equity in the company, and the racy ad went viral.

Prediction Market Ad Blitz Gets Backlash

Platforms are trying to capitalize on the start of the NFL season.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Noah Eagle on Calling the 49ers vs Rams Netflix Game in Australia

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
September 3, 2026

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”

Late-Night Shelton-Alcaraz Thriller Raises Questions for US Open

Alcaraz and Shelton’s match ended at 3:34 a.m. ET.
Sep 5, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; New York Yankees Aaron Judge (99) watches play during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres.
September 8, 2026

Yankees Ticket Prices Rise as Judge Returns

One of MLB’s top fan attractions is returning to action.
September 8, 2026

Puka Nacua Remains Eligible for Rams Australia Opener

His disciplinary case is still under review.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
September 7, 2026

Charlie Woods Signs NIL Deal With TaylorMade Golf

Woods has already been mostly using TaylorMade equipment.
September 6, 2026

Williams Sisters Avoid Fines for Skipping US Open Press Conference

The duo has skipped press obligations before.
Aug 6, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Jessica Pegula (USA) reacts after winning the first set against Kamilla Rakhimova (UZB) during third round play at Sobeys Stadium.
September 2, 2026

Pegula: Influencers Have Become ‘A Little Too Much’ at US Open

Pegula said she also can appreciate what influencers can bring to the sport.
September 2, 2026

NBA Finds Clippers Violated Salary Cap, Bans Ballmer for a Year

The Clippers were fined $30 million.