Plus how Taylor Swift influenced Travis Kelce’s decision not to retire from the Kansas City Chiefs

How Taylor Swift influenced Travis Kelce's decision not to retire from the Kansas City Chiefs

Taylor Swift was a sounding board for Travis Kelce when he was deciding whether to retire from the NFL.

Sources exclusively tell Page Six that the Grammy winner and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end “definitely discussed” the life-changing topic “as a couple.”

We’re told Swift, 35, made it known she was definitely in favor of Kelce playing again.

“She didn’t want Travis to retire,” an insider says. “She wanted him to go out on a high note.”

The Chiefs suffered a devastating loss against the Philadelphia Eagles on Super Bowl Sunday 2025, with a final score of 40-22 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce openly discussed whether he should retire from the NFL, sources tell Page Six.Getty Images

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.
“She didn’t want Travis to retire,” an insider says.Getty Images
Kelce said on an episode of “New Heights” in February that the defeat was a “tough pill to swallow,” adding, “Just wasn’t our day. Couldn’t find a lick of momentum.”

He continued, “I’m kicking myself for some of the tiny, tiny decisions I made on the field.”

Although Swift’s opinion on a potential retirement was taken into consideration, we’re told the final call was ultimately on Kelce, 35.

“He has to be able to physically do it,” an insider says, noting that it’s up to the athlete to feel confident that his body could play a full season again without putting himself at risk for injury.

On Feb. 27, Kelce finally broke the news on Pat McAfee’s ESPN show that he would not be retiring yet.

Travis Kelce in Chiefs uniform.
A source adds that the final call was on Kelce, who had to consider whether his body could handle another season.Getty Images

Taylor Swift at Super Bowl 2025.
However, we’re told one of the reasons Swift wanted Kelce to play again was because of his Super Bowl 2025 loss. She wanted him to “go out on a high note,” a source said.Getty Images
“I’m coming back, for sure,” the Super Bowl champ, who has spent 12 years in the NFL, told the host via a text that was read aloud on the show at the time.

He continued, “Gonna try and get to the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop. Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and how I got the guys ready for battle. I can’t go out like that!!!!”

After Kelce finally decided to return to the Chiefs, we’re told Swift was “happy [with his decision].”

The “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?” host has been open about the fact that the “Fortnight” singer has been “fully encouraging” him to play football.

Travis Kelce in a press conference.
Kelce confirmed in February that he will play for the Chiefs again.Getty Images

Taylor Swift posing at the 2025 Grammys.
We’re told Swift is “happy” with the decision and will be back to cheer on Kelce at his games.FilmMagic
He said on “The Stephen A. Smith Show” in January, “I got all the support in the world to keep chasing these dreams.”

We’re told told Swift will “of course” be back in the stands or suites cheering on Kelce for the 2025-2026 NFL season, as she always has been and plans to make it to as many games as possible.