Peyton Manning gives retirement advice to Travis Kelce as Chiefs stars weighs up huge decision
Peyton Manning has advised Travis Kelce to not rush his retirement decision following the Chiefs’ devastating Super Bowl loss to the Eagles.
Kelce, 35, said ahead of the game that he hoped to still be playing in three years, but a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on the eve of the game said the tight end was ‘undecided’ about returning for the 2025 season.
Since the February 9 loss to Philly, Kelce has yet to publicly make a decision, and Manning hopes the Chiefs star ‘takes some time’ to make up his mind.
‘So, the last thing you want to do is say ‘OK, I’m going to make a decision now,’ he told E! News at the SNL 50th Anniversary Special.
‘Take some time. Take a full month. Let some things digest and calm down. He can make a better decision then.’
Speaking on last week’s episode of his New Heights podcast, Kelce indicated he was doing just that as he weighs up whether or not to return for a 13th season.
Travis Kelce is weighing up whether or not to return for a 13th season in the NFL
And former star quarterback Peyton Manning has advised the tight end to take his time
‘I’m gonna take some time to figure it out,’ Kelce said. And I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back that it’s gonna be a wholehearted decision and I’m not half-a**ing it, and I’m fully here for them.
‘I think I can play, it’s just whether or not I’m motivated or it’s the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility.’
In the regular season, Kelce finished with his lowest totals in receiving yards (823) and touchdowns (three) since his sophomore season in 2014.
He also had a relatively quiet Super Bowl, as he caught four balls for 39 yards in his team’s blowout loss.
The tight end has also accrued a ton of extra mileage on his body in the postseason – with his 25 career playoff appearances equating to roughly an extra season and a half of play.
Nonetheless, Manning would love to see Kelce continue on in the NFL.
‘I hope he comes back and plays,’ he said. ‘He’s fun to watch, but he’s got to do what’s best for him.’
Kelce still has plenty of time to make his decision, as the Chiefs have given him a deadline of March 14 to make his decision, according to The Athletic.
Kelce is set to receive a roster bonus of $11.5million on March 15 if he continues playing.
