NFL superstar tight end Travis Kelce is planning to extend his professional football career beyond his 13-year tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs and may consider joining a different franchise, according to a Sunday report from The Athletic.
The veteran player, who turns 37 this October, has earned 11 Pro Bowl selections and four first-team All-Pro honors during his time in Kansas City, which selected him in the third round of the 2013 draft.
Kelce has spent recent months considering whether to return for a 14th NFL season and has contemplated retirement during the previous two offseasons. A new factor this year is his status as an unrestricted free agent following the completion of his two-year, $34.25 million contract extension last season.
According to The Athletic’s report, Kelce’s agents plan to engage in discussions with several NFL organizations.
The Chiefs organization, facing financial constraints due to salary cap limitations, has maintained a cautious wait-and-see stance regarding Kelce’s decision about retirement or another season.
“We’ve kind of prepared for either scenario,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach stated during the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 24. “We’re trying to position ourselves that either way, we have a plan moving forward.”
Veach mentioned plans to meet with Kelce’s representatives after the combine, noting that “you need some sort of timeline and deadline,” while describing discussions with his team as “positive.”
Head coach Andy Reid confirmed he maintains regular communication with Kelce, who experienced a comparatively modest season by his Hall of Fame standards.
During the most recent campaign, Kelce recorded 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns, with his 76 catches marking his fewest since tallying 72 in 2015. The team’s backup tight end Noah Gray also faces unrestricted free agency.
“Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back,” Veach commented in his February interview. “We’ll just kind of let that process play out. It’s not your typical 27-year-old first-time-in-free agency.
“Travis has done everything. He’s accomplished everything. He’s about to get married, got a lot going on. We’re just going to continue to have positive dialog and see where this thing ends.”
Before the 2025 season began, Kelce acknowledged considering retirement. He also discussed how his personal life has evolved since beginning his relationship with global pop superstar Taylor Swift, to whom he is now engaged.
The three-time Super Bowl winner holds every major Chiefs receiving record, including receptions (1,080), receiving yards (13,002) and touchdown catches (82).
