‘Tough Reality’: Travis Kelce Reflects On NFL Future Following Devastating Super Bowl Loss

Travis Kelce reflected on his future in the NFL following the Chiefs’ devastating Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, calling it a “tough reality” that he’s “toward the back nine” of his career.

Speaking on Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast with his brother Jason Kelce, the Kansas City star tight end admitted this year was “grueling” and he’s not sure what his future in football looks like right now.

“I know everybody wants to know whether or not I’m playing next year,” Travis said. “Right now, I’m just kicking everything down the road. … and I’m not making any crazy decisions, but right now, the biggest thing is just being there for my teammates and being there for my coaches, understanding that there’s a lot goes into this thing.”

“I’ve been fortunate over the past five, six years, I’ve played more football than anybody,” he added. “And it’s because the people that are in that building, and the fact that we keep going to these AFC Championships and these Super Bowls, that means I’m playing an extra three games more than everybody else in the entire league.”

“That’s a lot of wear and tear on your body, and it’s a lot of time spent in the building focusing on your craft, focusing on the task at hand, every challenge that you set up for yourself, and that process can be grueling,” Kelce continued. “It can weigh on you. It can make you better, it can drive you crazy, the same time. And right now, it’s one of those things where it was kind of driving me crazy this year.”

Travis’ brother Jason, who retired from the NFL last year after playing for the Eagles his entire career after being drafted in 2011, sympathized with his brother, who admitted that the reality is he’s now “toward the back nine of your career.”

“As you see yourself or not feel yourself have the success that you once used to have,” Kelce said. “Man, it’s a tough pill to swallow.”

“And then on top of that, to not be there in the biggest moments, knowing your team’s counting on you, man, those are all extremely hard things, to0, it’s just a tough reality,” he added. “I think I am going to take some time to figure it out.”

“I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back, then it’s going to be something that is a wholehearted decision; I’m not half-a**ing it,” Kelce continued. “I’m fully here for them. I think I can play — 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.”

Kelce was drafted by the Chiefs in 2013 had has had a Hall of Fame career as the team’s star tight end.

Related: Travis Kelce Shakes Off Haters, Calls It ‘A Great Honor’ That President Will Attend Super Bowl