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Stephen A. Smith believes this could be the final NFL season for Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, citing both personal and professional reasons. Speaking to _People_ on Tuesday, Dec. 9, the sports analyst noted the tight end’s recent engagement to Taylor Swift as a significant factor in his potential retirement. “I think that you could see the handwriting that's on the wall,”
Smith said. “The guy is so talented and there are so many other things that he could do outside of football that now would be the time for him Mto step away.” Smith emphasized that he does not “know anything” about Kelce’s plans and is merely “speculating” based on his observations. Still, he highlighted the balance between Kelce’s professional achievements and personal life as key considerations. “I will tell you that that's what I think he's going to do,” Smith added. “Obviously he has a beautiful lady in his life, where there's a lot of good things for him to go home to. And so, because of that, I think the combination of all of those things.”
The analyst also pointed to Kelce’s potential career opportunities off the field. “He would instantly make it in television. Instantly,” Smith said. “He'll have a job waiting for him the second he's finished. The second he's finished, he'll have a job waiting for him because that's just what he brings to the table.” Kelce has already explored entertainment, appearing in Ryan Murphy’s horror series _Grotesquerie_, the Adam Sandler-led _Happy Gilmore 2_, hosting _Saturday Night Live_ in 2023, and starring in his own dating reality show.
Smith also pointed to Kelce’s performance as a factor in his potential retirement. While still an accomplished player and three-time Super Bowl champion, Kelce is no longer at the peak of his career. Smith highlighted that, despite his talent and character, the physical toll of years in the NFL—including surgeries, injuries, and grueling training—inevitably affects performance, and younger, faster players continue to emerge.
Speculation about Kelce’s retirement first emerged following the Chiefs’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 Super Bowl. However, the tight end later confirmed he would return for another season, telling Pat McAfee that he was definitely coming back and aiming to reach his best physical condition yet. Chiefs coach Andy Reid also confirmed that Kelce had communicated his decision to continue playing less than a week after the Super Bowl defeat.
