Travis Kelce has seemingly put the rumors to bed.
Speculation was rife the Kansas City Chiefs tight end would retire this offseason following his Super Bowl humiliation at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 35-year-old cited the wear and tear on his ageing body as a possible reason for walking away from the sport this summer.
Others speculated his growing celebrity status and experiences in the entertainment world would sway his decision.
But on Thursday afternoon, Taylor Swift‘s significant other told Pat McAfee via text he plans to return for the 2025 NFL season.
Kelce will return to the Chiefs next season for what will likely be his last dance in Kansas City.
He joined the franchise in 2013 and has achieved all there is to achieve on a football field.
The three-time Super Bowl winner is widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in league history, with fellow legend at the position Shannon Sharpe admitting he’s already the best.
Sharpe and co-host Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson reacted to the latest Kelce news on the most recent episode of their ‘Nightcap‘ podcast.
“I told you. I said it wouldn’t happen. I said he was coming back simply for the fact the way it ended, ‘Ocho’ told Sharpe.
“No-one is ending their career like that especially a great one like Trav, who’s considered, including yourself, the greatest tight end of of all time.
“If I’m gonna finish it, I want to finish it the right way. I’m not finishing it with that taste in my mouth. That’s not happening.”
At that point, three time Super Bowl winner Sharpe conceded Kelce is the GOAT tight end, citing two main reasons — consistency and longevity.
“Yeah for me, it’s him and Gronk [Rob Gronkowski], ” Sharpe weighed in with.
“Some people say Gronk, some people say Kelce, but if you look at the consistency and the longevity which he’s played [he’s the greatest].
“With the exception of the last game, that’s really the only game that you can say, ‘Trav didn’t have it, Trav didn’t come to play right’.
“He has the the most catches in playoff history, he has the second most yards, the second most touchdowns, the thousand yard receiving seasons, leading his team in receptions, and the consistency year in and year out, that’s it for me.
“But if you say Gronk, you’ve got a very compelling argument as well.”
Gronk won four Super Bowls during his Hall of Fame-worthy career — all with legendary quarterback Tom Brady,
Three game in New England with the Patriots, while his final world championship ring came with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the end of the 2020 season.
He was an elite blocker and receiver, and basically redefined the tight end position due to his dominance.
Gronkowski set several NFL records, including being the first player of his position to lead the league in receiving touchdowns (17 in 2011), but his peak was arguably much shorter than Kelce’s.
Due to injuries, Gronk only had four 1000+ yard seasons, while Kelce has seven.
Kelce is also a ten-time Pro Bowler and a seven-time All-Pro, compared to Gronk’s five Pro Bowl nods and four All-Pro selections.
Ultimately the GOAT tight end debate comes down to personal preference, with Sharpe, Kelce, or Gronk all worthy choices.
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