At a Glance
- Rob Gronkowski advises Travis Kelce to trust his gut amid retirement rumors.
- Travis Kelce, 36, has played 13 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.
- He faces the final regular-season game on Jan. 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Why it matters: Fans and analysts watch whether Kelce will retire or keep playing, impacting the Chiefs’ playoff hopes.
On Dec. 29, former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski offered heartfelt advice to Travis Kelce on Good Morning America, addressing growing speculation that the 36-year-old Chiefs star may hang up his cleats after 13 seasons.
Gronkowski’s Advice to Kelce
During the interview, Gronkowski urged Kelce to listen to his gut and consider whether he still loves the game.
Rob Gronkowski said:
> ‘The only advice that I would give him, because I’ve been in this situation before, is listen to your gut feeling,’
> ‘If you truly love the game of football and you feel like you belong out there on the football field, well then go back. Look at your options, see what’s presented to you on the table and weigh it all out and take your time.’
- Listen to your gut feeling.
- If you truly love football and feel you belong on the field, go back.
- Take time to weigh options before deciding.
Kelce’s Retirement Rumors and Current Status
Kelce has said he wants to finish out the season and give Chiefs Kingdom everything he has, even as the team is out of playoff contention and quarterback Patrick Mahomes is sidelined with a season-ending ACL tear.
Travis Kelce added:
> ‘Well, obviously, I’ve got one guy in my back pocket that called it quits when he was 36 years old, being my brother,’
> ‘I got another guy in my pocket that called it quits when he was 37 years old, being you.’
- 13 seasons with the Chiefs.
- 36 years old.
- Final regular-season game on Jan. 4 vs. Raiders.
- Rumors of retirement after 13 seasons.
- He cites love for the game as key factor.
| Team | Seasons | Championships |
|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 2009-2018 | 3 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2020-2022 | 1 |
Gronkowski’s own retirement journey-initially stepping away in 2019 after nine seasons, returning in 2020, and retiring again in 2022-serves as a backdrop for his advice.
Key Takeaways
- Rob Gronkowski urges Kelce to trust his gut.
- Kelce’s decision will affect Chiefs’ playoff chances.
- The final game on Jan. 4 could be Kelce’s last.
Whether Kelce stays or bows out, his decision will reverberate across the Chiefs franchise and the NFL at large.
