Travis Kelce Says He Isn't Retiring Anytime Soon: 'I Love Playing This Game'

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end discussed the future of his career with his brother Jason in a new episode of their 'New Heights' podcast

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the field after at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Travis Kelce. Photo:

Cooper Neill/Getty 

Travis Kelce has a good idea about how he’ll know it’s time to hang his cleats. 

On Wednesday, June 19, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 34, and his brother, newly retired Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce, discussed the “R word” on their New Heights podcast. 

The topic came up with a mention of Travis’ teammate, defensive tackle and “friend of the show,” Chris Jones.

Chris Jones #95 (R) and Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs pose for a portrait with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LVIII
Chris Jones #95 (R) and Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs pose for a portrait with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Ryan Kang/Getty

After winning the Super Bowl in February, which helped to secure his contract, Jason, 36, said Jones, 29, was asked about retirement. 

“He was also asked about retirement, and he said, ‘Once you begin thinking about things like that, you get in to feed the mind, those types of thoughts.’ He said, ‘I don't even wanna take my mind to go that far to the R word. We've got more years,’ ” Jason said. 

Thinking on Jones' quotes, Jason quipped, “I don't know though. Travis is pretty f----- old."

Travis said the thought doesn’t cross his mind unless he’s asked about it, but his newly retired big brother insisted that “you think about it sometimes during really hard times of your body.”

Still, the 34-year-old assured his sibling that he’s not considering leaving his pro football career just yet. 

Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles talks to brother Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs after their game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles talks to brother Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs, 2023.

David Eulitt/Getty

“It's a thought that's like, I love playing this game at the highest level possible. And I love playing at it at a level where I know I can have a bunch of success. I know I can still go out there and mow down dudes in the end zone. I know I can go out there and catch a flat route and turn it into a 15-, 20-yard game and make a few guys miss,” Travis said. 

“The moment that I can't do that, I think that's when I'm just gonna be like, ‘Alright. What am I doing this for?’ ” he explained. 

The NFL talent shared that he still gets a rush out of the sport.

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter in the AFC Championship Game
Travis Kelce, January 2024.

Patrick Smith/Getty

“I get excitement out of catching a ball, splitting a bunch of defenders, and getting a huge first down when nobody expected me to do it. You know? Or I scored a huge touchdown in a playoff game, in the Q4 when the team needed it the most.”

Meanwhile, Jason confessed that he decided to step away from the football field because he felt he could not “execute [plays] the way I wanted to.”

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Elsewhere in their conversation, the brothers addressed the Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII championship ring typo after the team was gifted the jewelry at a June 13 ring ceremony at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City.

"I think it makes it more unique. Like, 'Oh, yeah, we made it really detailed, and, oops, we screwed up,'" Travis told his brother, adding that it "makes it more exclusive."

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