Sometimes, just being famous is not enough. And this is something that could affect Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce if he plans to take his “second career” away from the NFL and into the world of TV seriously.
The 36-year-old star has ended his contract with the team, sparking rumors and doubts about his athletic future. However, amid the uncertainty, the TE has already received a warning if he decides to pursue an acting career after retirement.
Kelce will have to work much harder
After deciding to play one more year in the league following a Super Bowl loss, Travis’ 13th season with the Chiefs did not go as expected. The disappointing 2025 campaign resulted in his early elimination from the playoffs for the first time in a decade and a poor 6-11 record.
This cast doubt on Kelce’s future, although one thing is certain: he shouldn’t worry about what he’ll do when he decides to step away from the field. Not only will his wedding to his fiancée and singer Taylor Swift keep him busy, but outside of his private life, the success of his podcast “New Heights,” the TV job offers he’s sure to receive, and his businesses will likely keep the tight end busy. As if that weren’t enough, there’s another option:acting.
Related:
- Super Bowl 2026: Date, time, location, and everything to know
- Where to watch the Super Bowl 2026? TV channel and streaming
- Super Bowl Halftime Show 2026: Everything about Bad Bunny’s performance
- How much do tickets for the Super Bowl cost in 2026?
- Super Bowl Winners List: All teams that have won the Vince Lombardi
In recent years, Kelce has had some exposure to the big screen. The NFL star had a small role in Netflix’s “Happy Gilmore 2” and hosted Amazon Prime Video’s video game show “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?” Despite his experience and fame, it might not be so easy for him if he decides to pursue acting:
“No matter how high his profile is, nobody is just going to hand him anything,” an insider told Star’s Alice King before revealing that industry pros believe Kelce’s “head just isn’t in the game.”
“Nobody is getting on TV or into action movies unless they really want it and can prove they can handle that kind of responsibility. To branch out, Travis has to show that he can do more than a goofy appearance in Happy Gilmore 2. If he really wants this second career, he’s going to have to dance for it like everyone else!” added the source, according to The Mirror.
Travis would not be the first NFL star to pursue acting after retirement. Terry Crews (Rams, Chargers, and Washington), Carl Weathers (Raiders), and Jim Brown (Browns) are clear examples of this.
However, this warning does not mean that Kelce has taken it for granted that he should not strive for it, much less that he is ready to retire.
In 17 games in 2025, he racked up 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns, on his way to his 11th consecutive Pro Bowl. In addition, on the podcast he hosts with his older brother, Jason Kelce, he recently revealed that he still feels “a lot of love for the game”: “I don’t know. It’s a tough thing to navigate, but at the same time, I think if my body can heal up and rest up and I can feel content that I can go out there and give it another run, I think I would do it in a heartbeat.”
Only time will tell if Travis will play one more season with the Chiefs and in the NFL or if he will start a new chapter in his life, away from the field. As he himself said: “It’s just finding that answer… when it all settles down.”
Read the full article here
