Is Travis Kelce preparing for a graceful NFL exit? 5 veterans who might retire after the 2025 season
As the 2025 NFL season looms, the conversation around retirement is louder than ever—especially for players whose careers have defined the past decade. One name leading the speculation? Kansas City Chiefs tight end
Travis Kelce
. With his 13th NFL season on the horizon and his body showing signs of wear, fans and analysts alike are wondering: Is this his final run?
Travis Kelce's legacy may soon pivot from NFL dominance to Olympic glory
Travis Kelce missed OTAs this June, setting off rumors about retirement.
Though he recently dazzled at the Chiefs' Big Slick charity event, the missed practice sparked real concern. At 35, with a contract expiring after 2025 and two consecutive sub-1,000-yard seasons, the writing may be on the wall.
— nypost (@nypost)
Yet, Kelce's next move might not be total retirement—it could be Olympic flag football. With NFL players now eligible to represent Team USA at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Kelce could exit gracefully from the league and shift to a lighter version of competition.
'Kelce is an absolute legend,' Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report noted. 'He'd be a no-brainer in early retirement.' Since retired players don't count against a team's salary cap, it's a win-win for both Kelce and the Chiefs.
Ezekiel Elliott and Odell Beckham Jr. are both fading fast
Former Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott turns 30 this summer, and his career trajectory has been anything but upward. His stint in New England ended with a mediocre 3.1 yards per touch, and even Shannon Sharpe was blunt: 'What team in the playoffs need a running back averaging two yards a carry?'
Odell Beckham Jr.,
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once the most electrifying receiver in the game, seems more focused on fatherhood and leisure than football. Though retirement hasn't been declared, his nine-catch season in Miami and Instagram posts suggest his playing days are unofficially behind him.
James Bradberry, the once-feared cornerback for the Eagles, was recently cut after an injury-riddled season. Though he remains optimistic—'I'm gonna get a ring'—Philadelphia has already replaced him with younger talent.
Also Read:
Travis Kelce skips Chiefs training camp to stay with Taylor Swift after wedding rumors, sparking NFL controversy
Dalvin Cook, turning 30 in August, may still have a shot with the Texans, but time is clearly not on his side. After underwhelming stints in Dallas and New York, his future looks uncertain. For these five NFL veterans, 2025 may mark the end of the road—or at least, the end of their prime-time relevance.
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