NFL legend Rob Gronkowski has made a bold prediction about the future of Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, suggesting the tight end will not retire but instead seek a new team to chase another championship.
Gronkowski's Free Agency Forecast
Speaking on the show NFL Sunday, former All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski disputed the widespread assumption that Kelce will end his storied career this offseason. Gronkowski believes the 36-year-old will instead test the free agent market and aim to join a team with genuine Super Bowl aspirations for the 2026 campaign. "I think he's going to test the market out there and he's got to compete for a championship and the Super Bowl if he comes back," Gronkowski stated.
He cast doubt on the Chiefs' immediate ability to contend, suggesting the franchise faces a rebuilding phase. "I really don't see that happening with the Kansas City Chiefs," Gronkowski said. "It's going to be a rebuilding year, more or less." This perspective comes despite Kelce enjoying a strong individual season, amassing 839 receiving yards and five touchdowns, even as the Chiefs' campaign imploded and they failed to reach the playoffs.
The Retirement Crossroads
Kelce's contract with the Chiefs, the only team he has played for since being drafted in 2013, expires at the end of this season. Many fans and pundits have speculated that this natural break, combined with his high-profile relationship with global music icon Taylor Swift, would be the perfect moment for him to ride off into the sunset. This has led to suggestions that next week's game against the Las Vegas Raiders could be his final NFL appearance.
However, Gronkowski pointed to Kelce's enduring on-field performance and love for the game as reasons to continue. He also highlighted the external opportunities pulling at the player, framing Kelce's decision as a matter of heart. "He's got so many opportunities outside of the game of football," Gronkowski noted. "Is his heart in the place of, 'Hey, what's the next adventure for me?' or 'Do I really love the game of football, do I need to get back?'"
Warnings and Past Precedents
Adding a note of caution, former New York Giants great Michael Strahan advised Kelce to ensure he is completely ready to walk away. "You never want to live with regrets," Strahan warned. "Everybody talks about opportunities (away from the game) and that's great, but at the end of the day he's a football player. Get it out of your head. You never want to live with regrets and all this stuff that comes after, that's supplementary."
Kelce himself has remained tight-lipped about his plans, insisting he will make a decision after the season concludes, following discussions with the Chiefs, his family, and friends. He has previously stated he would never play for another NFL team besides the Chiefs. History shows he nearly retired after the Chiefs' Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in February but decided against ending his career on a low note. With Kansas City missing the playoffs this year, a similar thought process could emerge.
The future of the Chiefs, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes' recovery from an ACL tear, suggests a period of transition. For Kelce, the prospect of moving on to a new contender may no longer seem as daunting as it once did, opening a dramatic new chapter in one of football's most celebrated careers.
