Donna Kelce Reveals What She Wants Son Travis Kelce to Do When Making NFL Retirement Decision
- - Donna Kelce Reveals What She Wants Son Travis Kelce to Do When Making NFL Retirement Decision
Skyler CarusoFebruary 13, 2026 at 9:27 PM
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Donna Kelce; Travis Kelce.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty; Jamie Squire/Getty
Donna Kelce opened up about her son Travis Kelce's retirement rumors in a video shared on Friday, Feb. 13
The NFL mom shared what she wants for the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, and how he should make his decision
Kelce is speculated to hang up his jersey when his contract expires in March
Mother knows best!
Donna Kelce is sharing her thoughts on her son Travis Kelce's NFL future, and giving her motherly advice as he decides whether to retire from the league or return for another season.
The NFL mom was asked by TMZ whether she'd like to see the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 36, continue playing amid speculation that the star athlete will hang up his jersey now that his 13th season in the league has come to an end.
Travis Kelce and his mom, Donna Kelce.
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
"I just want him to do what he feels comfortable doing," she told the outlet in a video released on Friday, Feb. 13. "He's gotta talk to people in his life to decide what he wants to do."
She added, "So I’m not sure. We’ll see what happens!"
Kelce has been the subject of retirement rumors since before the 2025-2026 season began. He signed a two-year extension in 2024, which expires in March 2026.
Travis Kelce hugs his mom, Donna, after the Chiefs won the 2024 Super Bowl.
JOHN G MABANGLO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Speculation ramped up over the course of the season, and tenfold towards its end, especially given how events played out: Kelce was admittedly frustrated with his game, quarterback Patrick Mahomes' suffered a season-ending injury and the Chiefs missed a playoff berth for the first time in a decade.
While Kelce kept his thoughts on retirement private for a large part of the season, he's opened up in recent months about the factors that will play into his decision.
"You know, that's a good question, man. I think I'm still searching for those answers... The way this one ended with a sour taste in my mouth," Kelce told Tony Gonzalez last month when the retired Chiefs legend asked about his retirement decision.
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"I feel motivated, but I got to make the right decision for me," he shared.
Additionally, Clark Hunt — chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs — shared his organization’s take on what’s to come next year regarding Kelce, and endorsed the tight end’s decision if he elects to play a 14th season.
“Well as an organization, we certainly hope that he will come back,” Hunt said in a guest spot on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
"He had another great year, maybe not on par with where he was four or five years ago, but still had over 800 yards, and was really one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball for us. So there’s no doubt in my mind that he can still play," he continued.
Hunt added, "We’re trying to be respectful and let him have the time that he needs to make a decision."
on People
Source: “AOL Sports”
