As the 2024 NFL season winds down, the question remains unanswered: Was Super Bowl LVII Travis Kelce's last game?
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In the latest episode of the New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother Jason, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end expressed uncertainty about his future in the NFL, saying he intends to take time to decide if he will return for the 2025 season.
"I know everybody wants to know if I'm playing next year, and right now, I'm just kicking everything down the road," Kelce said. "I'm kicking every can I can down the road. And I'm not making any crazy decisions, but right now, the biggest thing is just being there for my teammates and being there for my coaches — understanding that there's a lot that goes into this thing."
Kelce, who has been one of the league's most consistent performers over the past decade, acknowledged the physical and mental toll that comes with the grind of consecutive playoff appearances. "I've been fortunate over the past five, six years, I've played more football than anybody," he said. "And it's because of the people that are in that building. And the fact that we keep going to these AFC Championships and these Super Bowls, that means I'm playing an extra three games more than everybody else in the entire league. And that's a lot of wear and tear on your body."
At 35 years old, Kelce has seen his production dip slightly in recent seasons, though he still posted strong numbers. In 2024, he finished with 97 catches for 823 yards and three touchdowns, setting a franchise record for receiving touchdowns. He also had 13 catches for 175 yards and one touchdown in three postseason games.
"It can be grueling. It can weigh on you. It can make you better and it can drive you crazy at the same time," Kelce added. "And right now, it's one of those things where it was kind of driving me crazy this year. And I think that it happens as you tail off toward the back nine of your career, as SVP [ESPN's Scott Van Pelt] would say."
Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl champion, has accumulated 1,004 career catches for 12,151 yards and 77 touchdowns in the regular season. His postseason numbers are equally impressive: 178 receptions for 2,078 yards and 20 touchdowns in 25 playoff games.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Kelce emphasized the importance of making a decision with full commitment. "I think I'm going to take some time to figure it out," he said. "And I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back, that it's going to be something that [is] a wholehearted decision, and I'm not half-assing it, and I'm fully here for them."
Whether or not Kelce returns in 2025, he has already cemented his legacy as one of the most accomplished tight ends in NFL history.
