Legendary tight end Rob Gronkowski just offered Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce some poignant advice ahead of one of the biggest decisions of his life: NFL retirement.
Professional sports are different from most other careers in that the retirement age comes swiftly and typically in a player’s 30s — if not even earlier. Kelce, for instance, is 36 years old and about to finish up his 13th season in the league.
Gronkowski retired from the game following his age-29 campaign. But after one year out the sport, and Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, called him back to the gridiron for a two-season stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Given Gronkowski’s experience — playing with an all-time great QB in Brady, like Kelce has with Patrick Mahomes, and achieving high levels of fame, fortune and on-field team and personal success at the tight end position — his views on leaving football are as pertinent as any with regards to Kelce’s looming decision.
Gronkowski offered those insights to Kelce on Monday, December 29.
“The only advice that I would give him, because I’ve been in this situation before, is listen to your gut feeling,” Gronkowski told TMZ. “If you truly love the game of football and you feel like you belong out there on the football field, well then go back. Look at your options, see what’s presented to you on the table and weigh it all out and take your time.”
“But only go back to the game of football if you truly believe and feel like you belong on the field still,” he continued. “If your heart is not in it, well then you got a lot of opportunities ahead of you, and he’s gonna be successful in whatever he does in his next venture.”
Travis Kelce Will Go Out on Chiefs’ Worst Year of His Career if He Retires This Offseason
GettyKansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
One factor that could impact Kelce’s decision is the fact that this has been the worst Chiefs’ season in recent memory.
Kelce joined the team as a rookie in 2013, and Kansas City hasn’t had a losing record in all of that time until 2025. The Chiefs are 6-10 and play their final game of the regular season against the Las Vegas Raiders in the desert on January 4.
This year will also be just the second time the franchise has failed to make the playoffs in Kelce’s career (2014). It ends a streak of 10 consecutive postseason appearances, as well as seven straight AFC title game berths and three Super Bowls played in a row (two victories).
Kelce has won three championship rings across five Super Bowl appearances alongside Mahomes, whose season ended in Week 15 when he tore his ACL and LCL against the Los Angeles Chargers late in the fourth quarter. That was also the loss that officially eliminated Kansas City from playoff contention.
Travis Kelce Continues Playing, Despite Chiefs’ Early Elimination From Playoff Contention
GettyTight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kelce has addressed the rumors of his potential retirement following this season, though he has not been committal either way.
“I’ll let that be a decision I’ll make with my family, friends, the Chiefs organization when the time comes,” Kelce said following the team’s Christmas Day loss to the Denver Broncos.
It is worth noting that while Kansas City has shut down several players for the season, some due to just minor injury issues, Kelce has continued playing.
One could interpret that as a hunger to remain on the field, which might bode well for his return in 2026. One could also assume the perspective that Kelce wants to be in uniform for his final games in the NFL, even if they are some of the first irrelevant ones he has ever played, because he won’t be returning to the Chiefs next year.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Rob Gronkowski Has Message for Travis Kelce Amid Retirement Rumors appeared first on Heavy Sports.