Travis Kelce’s blunt retirement answer at 36 sparks fan reaction | NFL News
Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, is heading into his 13th NFL season and turns 36 just before Week 5 when the Chiefs face the Jacksonville Jaguars on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. At age 35 now, many wonder if this might be his final year on the field. Still, Kelce remains a major part of the offence and his media and business interests off the field make retirement talk natural. During a media session in early August 2025 in St. Joseph, Missouri, he gave a sharp answer when asked about his training‑camp memories, hinting at his long view on football next season and beyond.
Travis Kelce’s 7‑word retirement reply speaks volumes
At a press conference in St. Joseph, Missouri, on a Wednesday during training camp, reporters asked the three‑time Super Bowl winner, Travis Kelce, what would be his favorite memory if this camp turned out to be his last. He simply said, “Man, ask me that when I retire.” That brief line shows he’s not thinking about retiring any time soon at least not in the middle of camp.Head coach Andy Reid has likewise said Kelce remains key to the team, adding that there’s been no concrete retirement talk between them. General manager Brett Veach has also confirmed Kelce looks motivated and is under contract for the coming season.
Travis Kelce Still Hungry, But Future Quietly Shapes Up
Even following a terrible Super Bowl LIX defeat and a career-worst season, Travis Kelce keeps training under Andy Reid. At a press conference in May 2025, teammate Patrick Mahomes stated Kelce is trying very hard to outperform last year and does not behave like someone prepared to retire.Also Read: “Until We Got Married”: Kansas City Chiefs Star Patrick Mahomes Opens Up About How Brittany Supported Him Since High SchoolPatrck Mahomes remarked that Kelce’s physique is better than it has ever been as he exercises in Florida.Meanwhile, at the same 2025 training camp, Andy Reid named Noah Gray as Kelce’s eventual replacement. Gray has been mentored by Kelce since joining in 2021. This signals the team preparing for a transition, even as Kelce stays focused on the season ahead.
