Rob Gronkowski weighed in on the Travis Kelce retirement chatter, giving fans some perspective amid all the speculation. With Mahomes out for the season due to an ACL tear and the Chiefs missing the playoffs, questions about Kelce hanging up his cleats are swirling. Gronkowski talked about Kelce’s career stats, leadership, and the personal side of things as factors in his decision.
Rob Gronkowski shares his thoughts on Travis Kelce’s possible retirement
Rob Gronkowski shared his gut call about Kelce, saying, “My gut tells me that Travis Kelce will not be back next year.” He pointed to Kelce’s Hall-of-Fame-worthy career, the Chiefs’ struggling this season, Mahomes’ ACL setback, and Kelce’s life off the field. Kelce is currently engaged to Taylor Swift. He’s also involved as a co-host of the New Heights podcast with his brother Jason.
“With where the Chiefs are, with Patrick Mahomes getting hurt, with everything else going on in Travis Kelce’s life, I think this is his last year. And what a heck of a career he has had, no doubt about that,” Gronkowski said. Kelce, 36, has been a Kansas City lifer since 2013, racking up three Super Bowl rings and 10 Pro Bowl nods along the way. In 2025, he hauled in 67 catches for 797 yards and five touchdowns. He was also ranked sixth out of 85 tight ends in the PFSN TE Impact rating.
Gronkowski also ranked Kelce among the all-time greats, putting him shoulder-to-shoulder with Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates. He praised Gonzalez for his legendary and record-breaking career. While Gates earned nods for his athleticism and smooth game. Kelce is the only active player on Gronkowski’s list.
If Kelce hangs up his cleats after Week 18, the Chiefs will have a huge hole to fill and will need to rejig their offense for 2026. Not long ago, Travis also hinted to George Clooney on the podcast that he might try acting in movies if he were to retire. “As long as I’m getting asked by guys like Adam Sandler, you know, my heroes growing up, man, I’m gonna be there in a heartbeat,” he told Clooney.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on Mandatory.
