Superstar tight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs finally spoke up about the ongoing speculation that he would retire soon.
The future Hall of Famer made it clear to reporters on Thursday afternoon that retirement is not going to happen anytime soon before the team’s playoff game against the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card Round, as reported by The Athletic’s Nate Taylor. Kelce said,
“I have no reason to not (keep playing) football,” “I love it. love the challenge it gives me every day. … I have no desire to stop anytime soon.”
Travis Kelce on the possibility of retirement at this point in his 11-year career: "I have no reason to not (keep playing) football. I love it. I love the challenge it gives me every day. … I have no desire to stop anytime soon."
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) January 11, 2024
#Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce about retirement. He didn’t go Wolf of Wall Street but I don’t think the end is near. pic.twitter.com/orvb60baDc
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) January 11, 2024
During the regular season, 34-year-old Kelce missed two games and didn’t play to his typical level. With 984 receiving yards in the end, he missed the 1K mark for the first time since 2015.
Kelce’s career low of 10.6 yards per reception was achieved. In addition, his five touchdown receptions were a long cry from the twelve he scored for the Super Bowl 57 winners the previous season.
However, when healthy, Kelce remains one of the best offensive weapons in football and is a strong contender to record 1,000 receiving yards. In the end, Kelce still has a lot of good football left in him—that is, if he wants to play.