Why Stephen A. Smith thinks Travis Kelce will retire soon

Stephen A. Smith there are many ideas of what might come of it Travis Kelcethe future.

Kelce is currently in his 13th year in the NFL as a back-to-back Kansas City Chiefs. Speaking to People, the First Take host shared his thoughts on Kelce’s performance this season.

“Those of us who know sports, watch sports and watch it all the time, we know it’s not what it used to be,” Smith explained in an interview published Dec. 9. “He’s still great. He’s a three-time champion. He’s one of the best people you’ll ever meet. He’s a beautiful person. It’s really, really good to know him, I’m proud of him.”

Smith continued, “But Father Time is undefeated and eventually sneaks up on all of us. And no matter how fast he looks – there are a bunch of people who are faster, who haven’t gone through the surgeries and the pain and all the other things he had to endure.”

Additionally, Smith says Kelce is incredibly talented outside of football, so whenever he takes that leap, he’ll be successful.

“I think you could see the handwriting on the wall,” Smith said. “The lad is so talented and has so many other things he could be doing outside of football that now would be the time to retire.”

Smith shared his link with Taylor Swift may also be a factor in why he would want to end the season sooner rather than later. Kelce proposed to Swift back in August after two years of dating.

“I’ll tell you that’s what I think they’re going to do,” he added. “Obviously he’s got a beautiful lady in his life, where he’s got a lot of good things to go home to. And so, because of that, I think it’s a combination of all those things.”

As for what industry Kelce might enter after football? Smith believes that his previous experience with TV such as his role in Grotesqueires by Ryan Murphy and his film debut in Happy Gilmore 2 by Adam Sandler over the summer.

“He would be an instant hit on television. Instantly,” Smith said. “He’s going to have work waiting for him as soon as he’s done. As soon as he’s done, he’s going to have work waiting for him because that’s what he brings to the table.”

Smith was keen to point out that he is only “speculating” about what Kelce’s future might hold and that no retirement announcement has been made.

There were retirement rumors at the end of last season, but the Chiefs were tight he clarified that when he announced the rumours to bed when he announced that he would be back. Smith claims he saw it and knew it would come back.

“And so obviously I knew he wasn’t going to retire last year because they got beat so badly in the Super Bowl,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine him ending his career like that. You know? Not like that. Not like that.”

Kelce has not announced his retirement, but fans will be able to see him play and fight alongside the Chiefs for a chance at the playoffs. The Chiefs next game is against the Los Angeles Chargers on November 17th at 1:00 PM EST.