Travis Kelce's 11th NFL season has been filled with retirement talk, including questions and reports about when the Chiefs star will end his career, but he has hinted at continuing to play into the foreseeable future. continuing.
in Bonus video for the podcast “New Heights” He and his older brother, Eagles center Jason Kelce, said the thrill of playoff games will continue to draw them in: “You get excited, man.”
“I've never found anything outside of football that challenged me as much as playoff football,” Kelce said. “And I don't know if I'll ever find it. That's one of the reasons I play this game until the wheels fall off. I love these challenges, these difficult matches, these difficult matchups. , I know that I can accept the question of whether we win or not. And I'm going to be great for the guys next to me.
“It's an energy and excitement that you won't find anywhere else in the world, and it's something I definitely cherish.”
Kelce wasn't specifically asked about his retirement on his podcast as he and his brothers were commentating on the Chiefs' AFC Championship Game against the Ravens on Sunday, but his comments were echoed by the former “Sunday Night Football” This followed a portion of an interview with sideline reporter Michele Tafoya. On a show with CBS Sports, she revealed that she thinks Kelce will join Jason in his retirement.
Kelce also said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal in November that he thinks about this “more than anyone can imagine.”
Given his relationship with Taylor Swift, it emerged as perhaps the definitive tip for the nine-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro.
“There's no reason to stop playing football,” Kelce told reporters before the Chiefs' wild-card round game against the Dolphins.
“I love it,” he added. “We're still successful. Just come in with the right mindset. I love the challenge I'm given every day to do my best.”
2023 was a down year, at least by his high standards and precedent, with just 984 yards and five touchdowns as the entire Chiefs offense struggled to find its rhythm until the postseason. It stayed in the times.
But against the Dolphins, Kelce caught seven passes for 71 yards, then caught five more for 75 yards and scored his first two touchdowns since Nov. 20, helping Kansas City win the division. They won against the Bills in the round.
Jason has also been embroiled in retirement speculation after the Eagles lost to the Buccaneers in the wild-card round for the 36-year-old center.
He reportedly told his teammates in the locker room that he was retiring, according to ESPN, and broadcast cameras caught an emotional Kelce in the final seconds of Philadelphia's debacle.
However, in a podcast episode later in the week, Kelce did not confirm his plans, saying that his emotions after the game were too great for him to “fully grasp” and make the decision to retire.
He hasn't announced anything since then.
