Chiefs' Travis Kelce Will 'Play Until the Wheels Fall Off,' Not Eyeing NFL Retirement

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce emphasized how retirement is the furthest thing from his mind as he prepares for the 2024 NFL season.

The nine-time Pro Bowler told reporters Tuesday he intends to play "until the wheels fall off."

Almost a year ago to the day, he used the same wording to say he wasn't weighing an exit from the game anytime soon.

Kelce was more candid in an interview with J.R. Moehringer of WSJ. Magazine that was published last November. He said that he thinks about the idea of retiring "more than anyone could ever imagine."

The 34-year-old has achieved pretty much everything he can on the gridiron. He's a three-time Super Bowl champion, a surefire Hall of Famer, and one of the greatest tight ends of his era. At least for this season, the quest for a third straight title provided an obvious incentive to suit up for another campaign.

Next spring, Kelce might feel a little differently about his career without such a clear objective to attain.

There comes a time when the grind stops being worth it. That's something he seemingly alluded to in his interview with Moehringer when he pointed to "the discomfort," "the pain" and "the lingering injuries" he generally feels at this point.

Granted, that didn't stop Kelce from signing an extension with the Chiefs that keeps him under contract through 2025.

For now, his level of commitment is clear. Sooner or later, the wheels do fall off, though, and even the best athletes in the world typically don't get to choose when that happens.