Travis Kelce hasn’t confirmed that 2026 is going to be his final season in the NFL but after some loose lips from a good friend, it very much appears that the writing is on the wall.
Weeks after getting married to Taylor Swift at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Kelce is now sharpening his focus on the upcoming football season which, for the Kansas City Chiefs, begins on September 14.
Kelce appears to have been training with his long-time coach Andrew Spruill and former NFL player Cris Carter, who made the striking revelation about Kelce’s future in an Instagram post this week.
Sharing a picture alongside the Chiefs tight end, former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Carter wrote: ‘Andrew and I started with Travis before his rookie year in the NFL.
‘Know the goat is preparing for THE LAST DANCE. Next stop Canton/HOF (Hall of Fame).’
The post sparked huge debate in the comments, with many questioning if it definitely is Kelce’s last season and others criticizing Carter for seemingly leaking the news early.
Cris Carter has claimed on social media that 2026 will be Travis Kelce’s last season in the NFL
Kelce, who recently married Taylor Swift, signed a new contract in March to keep on playing
‘These guys have no respect or loyalty to Travis at all they’re just trying to get clout,’ one fan commented on Carter’s post.
Another said: ‘So messy and inappropriate imo for him to write that. It’s NO ONE’S right to say that but Travis’ and now isn’t the time.’
A different fan said: ‘Can Travis be allowed to announce his own retirement, please? Everything about him makes headlines. Are you saying this for attention?
‘He’s always said he doesn’t want a farewell tour or the focus to be on him during the season. Travis has earned the right to announce this himself when he sees fit.’
Kelce, 36, was widely expected to quit football at the end of last season when the Chiefs failed to reach the playoffs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL.
But the three-time Super Bowl winner eventually decided that he didn’t want to bring the curtain down on his career on such a low note. And while the Chiefs struggled overall, individually Kelce had an impressive campaign.
He signed a contract extension in March worth around $12 million to keep on playing.
And since then, Kelce has had a whirlwind offseason which culminated in tying the knot with Swift at MSG in Manhattan on July 3. The power couple kept everyone guessing over the location and details have, for the most part, remained top-secret.
Three-time Super Bowl-winner Kelce will turn 37 during the upcoming NFL campaign
Kelce and the Chiefs are soon returning to camp to build up to the season’s September start
They still haven’t shared any pictures from the event, while guests have stayed coy on how the night unfolded.
Kelce’s close friend and teammate Mahomes, meanwhile, is expected to have recovered from knee surgery in time for the start of the season.
The Chiefs begin the campaign with a Monday night showdown against Denver Broncos on September 14.
In the meantime, practice camp for the Chiefs is just days away, with rookies reporting on Friday before Kelce’s return next week.
