• Loading stock data...
Sunday, December 7, 2025

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

The Los Angeles Chargers host executives from UCLA Health on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.

The Multibillion-Dollar Business of Pro Athlete Recovery

What started as ice baths has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry.
Nov 15, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian gestures after a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium

Texas and Miami Are on the Outside Looking In at CFP Bids

The two programs—and their fans—find fault with current CFP rankings.
Nov 29, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Anderson Castle (4) celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Wallace Wade Stadium

ACC Braces for Possible CFP Shut Out, Losing Chance at Millions in..

Duke beating Virginia would be costly for the ACC’s CFP hopes.
View of the London logo on the field after an NFL International Series game between the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

New NFL Surface Standards Will Apply to International Stadiums

The NFL played a record seven international regular-season games this year.

Featured Today

Big League Wiffle Ball

Celebrity-Backed Wiffle Ball Has Big-League Aspirations

Big League Wiffle Ball team owners include Kevin Costner and David Adelman.
November 24, 2025

How NBA Arena Experiences Went Ultra-Luxe

For the most connected guests, the game has become a secondary attraction.
Nov 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium.
November 24, 2025

Stafford, Rams Rise From the Pack to Super Bowl Contention

The NFL team now has the top odds to win Super Bowl LX.
Nov 16, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; NJ/NY Gotham FC celebrate after scoring during extra time against Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium
November 22, 2025

The NWSL Is Growing at Breakneck Pace. Can It Keep Surging?

While the league surges, it also must survive two major challenges.
Giannis
December 4, 2025

Giannis Antetokounmpo Out for Weeks After Reigniting Trade Talk

The Bucks are just 10–13 in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Rocket Arena.
December 5, 2025

Cavs Resting Players Keeps Costing Them

The Cavaliers paid a $100,000 fine a month ago.
Sponsored

On Location is Turning the 2026 Winter Olympics into the Ultimate Hospitality..

On Location is redefining the Olympic experience by creating lasting connections beyond the Games.
Nov 18, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center.
December 3, 2025

NBA Fines Sixers—Again—Over Joel Embiid Injury Handling

Embiid has only played in seven games this season.
Chris Paul
December 3, 2025

Clippers–Chris Paul Divorce Gets Ugly Amid Disastrous Season

Paul is not eligible to be traded until Dec. 15.
Golden State Warriors guard Seth Curry (No. 31) stands on the court after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter at the Chase Center on Dec 2, 2025.
December 3, 2025

The Warriors Will Have Two Different Curry Jerseys This Year

Both Curry brothers wear No. 30 in honor of their father, Dell.
Mar 25, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Cal Foote (52) stretches before the game against the Seattle Kraken at Bridgestone Arena.
December 2, 2025

Hurricanes Affiliate Quietly Signs Hockey Canada Trial’s Cal Foote

Hurricanes fans had protested the team’s reported interest in other defendants.