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Travis Kelce has a retirement decision to consider, but first the Kansas City Chiefs star plans to put his feet up and be human.
Kelce, 36, said he plans to take a few weeks, maybe a month, to step away before making a decision about his playing future.
“Every season ends for me, I put my feet up and I’m just human because I’ve put my body through the ringer for the love of it. I enjoy playing football and the physical aspect of it, I think there’s something about feeling the grind of the football season, just f—— getting ready for a game knowing that your body is f————-” a twisted animal that’s just f—– out here, just finding a way to survive, and I just f—– love that s—,” Kelce said during a recent episode of “New Heights.”
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Las Vegas on Jan. 4, 2026. (David Becker/AP Photo)
“But yeah, I think just being a normal person for a few weeks, maybe a month or so, and trying to figure out what I do to do next in terms of my future in football.”
While the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, Kelce was productive. He was named to his 11th Pro Bowl after recording 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns.
The four-time All-Pro said he has talked to people in the Chiefs building and they know where he stands right now.
“I’ve talked to a few people in the facility that already have the exit meetings and everything, and they know where I stand at least right now. I think there’s a lot of love for the game that’s still there, and I don’t think I’ll ever lose that,” Kelce said.
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Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during the national anthem prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 4, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
“I don’t know, it’s a tough thing to navigate, but at the same time, I think if my body can heal up and rest and I can feel confident that I can go out there and give it another 18, 20, 21-week run, I think I would do it in a heartbeat. I think right now it’s just finding that answer when it all settles and how the body falls.”
The star tight end called the Chiefs season “tough” and said missing the playoffs is an embarrassing feeling.
“It’s kind of an embarrassing feeling, but you keep it moving,” Kelce said. “I’m still a fan of the game and I still love the game. So I’ll be tuned into the entire playoffs.”
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce waves to fans as he walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Kelce said he plans to spend time with friends and family over the next month. If he decides to retire, he will go down as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history and as a lock to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In 192 career games, Kelce caught 1,080 passes for 13,002 yards for 82 touchdowns. No player in NFL history has caught more passes in the playoffs than Kelce, who hauled in 178 passes for 2,078 yards and 20 touchdowns in the postseason.
