Travis Kelce reveals his retirement plans to Matt Damon in the New Heights podcast interview
Speculation has swirled around the future of Kansas City Chiefs star, Travis Kelce.
In the wake of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 campaign ending with a whimper and without a playoff spot, veteran tight end Travis Kelce has opened up (again) about the crossroads he now faces in his career.
The three-time Super Bowl champion spoke on his “New Heights” podcast about his ongoing debate over whether to step away from professional sport or return for another season.
Kelce, now 36, acknowledged he has not reached a definitive conclusion on his playing future but stressed that both he and the Chiefs organisation understand “where I stand at least right now.”
“I’ve talked to a few people in the facility already, you know, having the exit meetings and they know where I stand at least right now,” Kelce said during Wednesday’s episode with his brother, Jason, and actor Matt Damon.
Matt Damon knows, Kylie Kelce is a boss @turbotax pic.twitter.com/c8RWKNxy54
— New Heights (@newheightshow) January 7, 2026
Kelce “just being a regular human for a couple weeks”
“There’s a lot of love for the game that’s still there and I don’t think I’ll ever lose that. I don’t know. It’s a tough thing to navigate, but at the same time, I think if my body can heal up and rest up and I can feel content that I can go out there and give it another run, I think I would do it in a heartbeat. So I think right now it’s just finding that answer … when it all settles down.”
“I put my feet up and I just be a human because I’ve been putting my body through the wringer for the love of it. I do enjoy playing football and the physical aspect of it. There is something about feeling the wear and tear of the football season … Just being a regular human for a couple weeks, maybe a month or so, and try and figure out what I’m going to do next in terms of my future in football," Kelce said.
The Chiefs’ uncharacteristically disappointing 6-11 record this season marked just the second time in his career that the franchise missed out on the postseason and has only intensified speculation around Kelce’s future.
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As for Kelce’s personal performances, he ended the year with 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns, earning his 11th consecutive Pro Bowl nod.
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