Jason Kelce Weighs Travis Kelce’s Possible Retirement After Chiefs’ Playoff Exit

In a candid moment on ESPN’s Monday Night Football, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce opened up about his brother Travis’s future, following the Kansas City Chiefs’ loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that knocked the team out of playoff contention.

Chiefs’ Loss and Its Aftermath

The Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention after a Sunday defeat by the Chargers, a game that also saw quarterback Patrick Mahomes tear his ACL. The injury forced Mahomes to undergo surgery the next day, as the team confirmed. With the Chiefs missing a chance to compete in the Super Bowl for a fourth consecutive year, the focus shifted to how the team and its players would finish the season.

Jason’s Advice to Travis

During the Monday Night Football interview on Dec. 15, Jason said, “I’m curious, too,” adding, “In my opinion, to nail that decision, you’ve got to step away from the game for a little bit.” He encouraged Travis to make the most of the remaining games: “Play these last three games, enjoy them with your teammates, enjoy that with your coaches,” he emphasized. “The team’s going to be different whether you come back or not next year. So, enjoy these last three games and then let it sink in. It’ll come to you with time.”

Reflections on Emotions

Jason continued, “There’s so many emotions with this game right after a season, especially with the way this one’s been,” noting, “It’s been so up and down … They’ve been close and right now, it’s too fresh. You got to step away from it, you got to think about it. Then, it’ll come to you.” His comments underscored the emotional roller‑coaster the Chiefs experienced during the season.

Personal Family Context

The former center, who announced his own retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons with the Eagles in March 2024, shared personal details about his family. “We have a small family,” Jason said at the press conference. “No cousins, one aunt, one uncle. It was really my brother and I our whole lives. We did almost everything together — competed, fought, laughed, cried and learned from each other.”

He added, “There is no chance I’d be here without the bond Travis and I share,” after a heartfelt hug with Travis following his announcement. “It made me stronger, tougher, smarter and taught me the values of cooperation, loyalty, patience and understanding. It’s only too poetic I found my career being fulfilled in the City of Brotherly Love. I knew that relationship all too well.”

Travis Kelce’s Current Status

Travis, 36, has been the Chiefs’ tight end for 13 seasons. With the Chiefs’ playoff exit, he and his teammates will finish their regular‑season schedule, but they will not compete for a Super Bowl appearance this year.

Jason’s Family Life

Jason is married to Kylie Kelce and is the father of four daughters: Wyatt, 6; Elliotte, 4; Bennett, 2; and Finnley, 8 months.

Key Takeaways

• The Chiefs’ loss to the Chargers ended their playoff hopes, and Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL.
• Jason Kelce advises Travis to step back, enjoy the final games, and let the decision come naturally.
• Jason’s own retirement in March 2024 highlights his understanding of career transitions.

The conversation between the brothers reflects the emotional weight of a season’s end and the personal crossroads that can follow. Jason’s candid guidance offers a glimpse into how family bonds can shape decisions both on and off the field.