Travis Kelce is opening up more than ever about his plans to retire from the Kansas City Chiefs and which way he’s leaning.
Travis Kelce has a decision to make as the Kansas City Chiefs‘ offseason beings, and that’s whether or not he’s going to retire from the NFL. After the team’s final game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, January 4, Kelce fielded questions about his retirement decision, but he opened up about it even more on his “New Heights” podcast on Wednesday, January 7.
After the Raiders game, which the Chiefs lost 14-12, Kelce responded to retirement questions, telling reporters, “Who knows? It either hits me quick or I’ve got to take some time. Last year, it was a little bit easier. I think I knew right away, I wanted to give this [year] a shot. We’ll see.”
But, Kelce has had some time to think, and now, the award-winning tight end has finally offered up more information about his retirement decision. According to his new comments, he’s leading a certain way.
Travis Kelce Discusses Retirement From Kansas City Chiefs on ‘New Heights’
During the Wednesday, January 7 episode of his “New Heights” podcast with his brother Jason Kelce, Travis talked about whether or not he wants to retire from the Kansas City Chiefs yet. His comments certainly imply that he wants one more go at the NFL.
“If my body can heal up, rest up and I can feel confident that I can go out there and give it another 18-20/21 week run, I think I would do it in a heartbeat,” Kelce said on the show.
So, there you have it. Kelce sounds like he wants to come back, but it depends on his body. It’s far from his final decision, but the comments indicate his heart’s desire.
After the Raiders game, Kelce was available to talk to the media, and he discussed how proud he was of his teammates and how they’ve played all season. “I’m proud the way we finished, even though it ended the way it did,” he said. “Guys showed up, gave it their all, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Travis Kelce Gives Back
Even though the Chiefs are ending their 2025-26 run without a trip to the postseason, Kelce continued to clock strong numbers with the team. He finished the season with 76 receptions, 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 17 games, according to NFL research.
May you like
As Kelce makes his decision about whether to return to the NFL next season, he’s getting some kind words from the students at Operation Breakthrough, an organization that’s been helping children and families in Kansas City since 1971.
On Monday, January 5, the Kansas City Chiefs posted messages from students at Operation Breakthrough on social media thanking Kelce for his work for the charity organization.
“Operation Breakthrough is a not-for-profit corporation providing a nurturing and safe environment for children of the working poor that began in 1971 by Sister Corita Bussanmas and Sister Berta Sailer,” according to the organization.
The organization adds, “The organization responded to the need for quality child care and provided a nurturing and safe environment for children in poverty.”
In the Instagram post, the group commented, “The impact Travis has made on our families and community for over ten years has been absolutely incredible. Thank you, @killatrav for always supporting us and truly inspiring our kids.”
Steelers Look to End Texans’ Winning Streak in Wild Card Showdown – Rookie Jack Sawyer’s Key to Stopping CJ Stroud
The Pittsburgh Steelers have made it into the postseason for the third consecutive season, and they will be playing against the Houston Texans on Wild Card Weekend. Houston has also made it into the postseason for three consecutive seasons, and the Texans have advanced in the playoffs in each of the last two years. That is something Pittsburgh has failed to do for nearly a decade, and the team is looking to end that horrific streak on Monday night when the game will take place. It is going to be a tough challenge as Houston is on a heater, but the Steelers have the experience and talent to get the job done.
The Texans have an impressive group on both the offensive and defensive side of the football. The defense is one of the best in the league as Houston has an elite pass rush and an elite secondary, but the offense can also put up points behind quarterback CJ Stroud. Stroud lit up Pittsburgh when he played against the Steelers during his rookie season in 2023, and Pittsburgh is going to have to find a way to slow him down this time around.
Stroud was teammates with Steelers rookie linebacker Jack Sawyer while the two were in college together at Ohio State, and Sawyer was asked by the media on Monday about how to slow down his former college quarterback.
“You got to throw everything at him,” Sawyer said. “Make him second-guess and not be on time. ‘Cause when he is on time and in rhythm, he is one of the best to do it. I’m looking forward to it, though. CJ’s awesome. He is having a great career already. And a better person. He’s a competitor. I think that’s the one thing that’s always stuck out to me about CJ. He wants to win.”
Stroud started his career off in 2023 looking like one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but he took a step backwards in 2024. He has improved slightly in his third season and he has been able to lead his team to wins. He has won a playoff game in each of his first two seasons in the league as mentioned, and Sawyer and the rest of Pittsburgh’s defense will be looking to bring that streak to a screeching halt.
The Texans are going for their 10th consecutive win when they travel to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers, while Pittsburgh is going to have to likely put forth its most complete game of the season in order to win. Winning this game is going to have to start on the defensive side of the ball as the secondary is going to have to lock up wide receiver Nico Collins to allow the pass rush to get to Stroud. This would make him second-guess himself as Sawyer mentioned, which should lead to some beneficial plays for Pittsburgh.
Stroud has been impressive throughout his career, but he has been prone to turnovers and hanging onto the football for too long. If the Steelers can force him into doing this, the defense should be able to set the offense up in some good spots. The quarterback has played in about 13.5 games for the Texans during the 2025 campaign and he has thrown eight interceptions while taking 23 sacks and coughing the ball up twice. Pittsburgh has to force some of those plays in order to have any chance of winning in the playoffs.
Steelers’ Arthur Smith Must Show Up Big Time Against Houston
Houston’s defense is ranked first in the NFL in yards and second in points, while also being third in takeaways. It is the most daunting defensive unit Pittsburgh has seen all season long, and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith is going to have to get creative when it coms to finding a way to manufacture some points.
The defense can do its job well for Pittsburgh, but the offense of the Steelers is going to have to have one of its best games of the season.
