Travis Kelce has a new career waiting if he hangs up his NFL cleats after 2025-26 season

As the 2025-26 NFL season approaches, Travis Kelce is already generating headlines about his future beyond the gridiron. The Kansas City Chiefs star tight end, known for his dynamic play and high-profile engagement to pop superstar Taylor Swift, may have a major career transition waiting for him: a potential role with ESPN as a host or analyst.

ESPN eyeing Kelce for post-NFL career

According to ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, the network is eager to bring Kelce into its fold once he decides to retire from professional football. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Pitaro revealed the network’s interest in Kelce as a way to expand its audience and appeal to younger fans.

“We’d love to talk to Travis when he’s ready,” Pitaro said. “One of our priorities at ESPN is audience expansion and that really means attracting a younger audience.”

He added that Kelce’s unique presence, both on and off the field, has already proven beneficial for the sport.

“[Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift] are able to do that and they’ve been great for the sport, great for the game of football, great for the NFL, and they’ve been great for the enterprises that carry the NFL. We’re all excited to see what that’s like going forward.”

From the field to the microphone

Kelce has already demonstrated his broadcasting potential through his “New Heights” podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother Jason Kelce, a former Philadelphia Eagles player. The podcast showcases Travis’ natural ability to engage audiences, breaking down sports topics while keeping content entertaining—a skill set perfectly suited for television and digital media.

Jason Kelce also maintains a strong connection to ESPN, having signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the network following his retirement in 2023. This connection further strengthens the likelihood of Travis pursuing a media career after football.

“Travis and his brother do a great job with the ‘New Heights’ podcast, so he’s a natural on the microphone and on camera,” the report noted.

A bright future beyond football

While the NFL still has plenty of chapters left for Travis Kelce, including potential playoff runs with the Kansas City Chiefs, ESPN’s interest signals that the tight end will have opportunities waiting once he hangs up his cleats. Whether as a host, analyst, or digital content creator, Kelce’s blend of sports insight, charisma, and pop culture relevance makes him a highly sought-after figure for networks looking to engage broader audiences.