Did Travis Kelce just confirm his retirement? NFL star says he’s ‘jobless’ after a tough season — here’s everything he revealed

Travis Kelce is facing a rare pause in his fast-moving career, and he is handling it with humour. After the Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up a tough season, the NFL star joked that he is now “officially jobless”, raising fresh questions about his future in football and beyond.

The comment came just days after the Chiefs lost to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, January 4, marking the end of a disappointing season for the team. While the loss marked the close of another year on the field, it also opened a new chapter of reflection for the veteran tight end.

During the Wednesday, January 7 episode of the New Heights podcast, Travis spoke openly with his older brother Jason Kelce about life after the season. “I am officially jobless,” Travis said, before adding, “Actually, this is my only job.”

Jason, who retired from the NFL in 2024, quickly questioned the statement. “Well, no. You're still employed unless you stop playing. Have you announced you stopped playing?” he asked. Travis responded by clarifying his point, saying, “This is the only company that employs me right now.”

When asked about retirement, Travis made it clear that no final decision has been made. Instead, he plans to take time away from football to think carefully about his future. “I think, yeah, just being a regular human for a couple weeks, maybe a month or so, trying to figure out what I'm going to do next in terms of my future in football,” Travis shared on the podcast.

He also revealed that he has already had early conversations with the Chiefs organisation. “I've talked to a few people in the facility already, you know, having the exit meetings and everything, and they know where I stand at least right now,” he said.

One of the biggest factors in Travis’ decision is his physical condition after a long season. He admitted that how his body recovers will help determine whether he returns.



“At the same time, if my body can heal up and rest up and I can feel confident that I can go out there and give it another 18, 20, or 21-week run, I think I would do it in a heartbeat,” he explained. For now, Travis plans to lean on those closest to him as he sorts through the decision. “I'm just trying to figure it all out myself, and I'll do that with the family and friends,” he said.

Even as questions swirl about his NFL future, Travis has already built a strong presence outside the game. In August, he announced his engagement to pop superstar Taylor Swift, bringing even more attention to his personal life.

He has also stepped into entertainment, hosting the game show Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? and appearing in projects like Adam Sandler’s comedy Happy Gilmore 2 and Ryan Murphy’s horror series Grotesquerie.

For those unaware, Travis has spent all 13 of his NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and played a key role in helping the team win three Super Bowls.