While Travis Kelce has yet to publicly comment on his NFL future, a significant indication emerged on Wednesday as the Chiefs star weighs whether or not to continue playing.
Kelce, 35, was noncommittal about his playing future after his team’s blowout loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl, saying on his subsequent New Heights podcast that he would ‘take some time to figure it out.’
And while the tight end has yet to give an official word on his plans, Dianna Russini believes the franchise icon is ‘leaning more’ towards playing than retirement.
Speaking on the Rich Eisen Show, Russini said that, from conversations she’s had, there’s ‘definitely a sense’ that Kelce will continue playing.
Russini added that the Chiefs – whom Kelce has spent his entire career with – ‘feel pretty good that Travis has got a little bit more left in him.’
Kelce was fifth among tight ends in 2024 with 823 receiving yards, though that total was his lowest since his sophomore season in 2014.
The tight end also hauled in just three touchdowns this season and was quiet in Super Bowl LIX, catching four passes for 39 yards in his team’s 40-22 loss.
Russini’s update comes a day after Adam Schefter echoed the same sentiment regarding Kelce on his podcast.
Ahead of the Super Bowl, Kelce said he hoped to still be playing in three years.
However, he was unsure of even playing one more season during a February 12 episode of New Heights, three days after the game.
‘I’m gonna take some time to figure it out,’ Kelce said. And I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back that it’s gonna be a wholehearted decision and I’m not half-a**ing it, and I’m fully here for them.
‘I think I can play, it’s just whether or not I’m motivated or it’s the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility.’
Regardless of when Kelce finishes playing, he is expected to have plenty of opportunities in Hollywood when he calls time on his career.
Kelce made his acting debut in the television show ‘Grotesquerie,’ hosted the gameshow ‘Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?’ and served as an executive producer on film ‘My Dead Friend Zoe.’
He is also slated to feature in ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ as part of a cast including Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, John Daly and Eminem.
In a statement to PEOPLE, he reflected on the ‘incredible experience’ working as a producer on ‘My Dead Friend Zoe.’
He added that his ‘hope is to continue working on meaningful projects like this – stories that entertain, inspire and make a real impact.’
