Travis Kelce's recent engagement to pop megastar Taylor Swift has overshadowed the fact that the legendary tight end could be entering his final season in the NFL.
In June, the 35-year-old told reporters the decision to play in 2025 was relatively straightforward, coming off the heels of the blowout defeat in Super Bowl 59. Does that rationale insulate if the Kansas City Chiefs pulled off the three-peat, Kelce would've ended his illustrious career on a high note?
With all of his off-field ventures, it makes sense for Kelce to at least prepare for a career change, but will still being a focal point of a championship-caliber squad be too difficult to walk away from?
One analyst isn't convinced Kelce is ready to hang up his cleats quite yet.
During a recent episode of the "Maggie and Perloff" show, host Andrew Perloff is skeptical that Kelce is ready to ditch the gridiron next spring.
"Everyone's calling it his last year, and it feels like it, but you never know," Perloff said. "Rob Gronkowski came back, and Tom Brady came back for a number of years. Ego-wise, I feel like Kelce will want to go out and do his thing while Swift does hers, because otherwise he pales in comparison."
To suggest that Kelce, who will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, will instantly lose status the second he stops playing football is a bit preposterous.
Why would Kelce risk his body for an extra few years to still be far less popular than his fiancée, regardless?
Even with potential rings and accolades dangling over his head, all directions point to Kelce putting down the pads at the end of this year.