Patrick Mahomes Addresses Travis Kelce Retirement Rumors

Patrick Mahomes is addressing the speculation surrounding the possible retirement of his teammate Travis Kelce.

Rumors about Kelce’s retirement have circulated over the past year, fueled by his age, his ventures outside of football—including acting, hosting, and his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift—and his increasing focus on life beyond the field.

The conversation arises as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to face the Buffalo Bills in Sunday’s AFC Championship game.

During an interview on 96.5 The Fan, Patrick Mahomes was asked whether the game against the Bills might mark Kelce’s final appearance at Arrowhead Stadium.

“I have no idea. He hasn’t said anything to me if he’s thinking that,” the 29-year-old quarterback said. “I know he signed a two-year extension before the season, it seems like he still loves football. But he also has a great life, as well.” Mahomes was referring to the $34.25 million contract Kelce signed in April 2024, which extends his tenure with the Chiefs.

Later in the interview, Mahomes expressed his deep admiration for Kelce, regardless of what the future holds.

“Either way, I just appreciate every time I step onto the field with that guy knowing that he’s a true legend of not only the Chiefs, but of the NFL,” he said. “If it is his last game, let’s go out there and get him a win. If it’s not his last game, let’s go out and get him a win anyway.”

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has cemented his Hall of Fame legacy after 12 seasons in the NFL, setting numerous records and winning three Super Bowl titles. His future gold jacket is a certainty, but the question remains—how soon will that day arrive?

At 35 years old, Kelce is entering the phase of his career where retirement talk becomes more frequent. Given all he has achieved, it wouldn't be shocking if he decided to step away from the game in the near future.

Kelce himself has hinted at retirement in recent weeks. During an interview with Stephen A. Smith on January 15, the three-time Super Bowl champion admitted he has been contemplating the decision after 12 years in the NFL.

“It changes every single day. I love everything that I’m doing in this building, but at the end of the day, I’m not having that extreme success on the field as I have individually,” the tight end said. “I’ll reevaluate it like I always do, and I’ll probably tell myself how much I love this thing and I’ll come back next year.”

During the 2024 regular season, Travis Kelce recorded 97 receptions for 823 yards—the fewest yards of his career, excluding his rookie season. Additionally, his three touchdowns marked the lowest total in his 12 years of play. While Kelce's influence on the game extends far beyond the stat sheet, he acknowledged that his role on the field has evolved.

"I still love coming into the building every day, does it get hard, yeah, but I'm not doing it for the stats. I'm doing it for the greatness, the legacy that we've created here in Kansas City ... I can't fathom what it would feel like just being able to say I'm satisfied because I'm still hungry to go and get something right now," he said.

When asked if his girlfriend, superstar singer Taylor Swift, encourages him to step away from the violent nature of football, Travis Kelce revealed that it’s actually quite the opposite.

"She's fully encouraging me to enjoy playing this game," Kelce said. "She loves coming to Arrowhead and coming to the games and cheering for me so I got all the support in the world to keep chasing these dreams."

If the Chiefs defeat the Bills, they will secure a spot in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on February 9, where they will face the winner of the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders game. Victory in the Super Bowl would solidify the Chiefs’ place in history, making them the first team to win three consecutive Vince Lombardi trophies.