Eli Manning Weighs In On Travis Kelce Retirement Rumors—Amid Reports Kansas City Chiefs Wedding Plans With Taylor Swift ‘Still On Hold’
Eli Manning shared his thoughts on Travis Kelce retirement rumors amid reports that Kansas City Chiefs tight end too Taylor Swift they have put their wedding plans on hold.
Manning, who retires in 2020, opened up to People about speculation that Kelce, 36, is preparing to hang up his football jersey at the end of this season — after his team missed the NFL playoffs.
Kelce—who announced his engagement to Swift, also 36, in August—has been surrounded by rumors that he will end his professional career since the start of the season but has so far refused to confirm that he plans to play another year.
According to Manning, the Kansas City Chiefs star may be dealing with an emotional storm before retirement, or whenever that is, with the former player admitting he knows the feeling all too well.
“That’s his decision, only he can make it, he’s the only one who knows what his desire is and what he’s committed to,” said Manning.
“And it’s one of those deals as you get older, it’s not like you can do less and get the same result. You have to work twice as hard to get half the results—injuries, build, slow, fast movements.
“I think so [Kelce] thinking about these next few weeks or months, you’ll know like, ‘Hey, am I itching to get back out there and start grinding and start training and start doing everything I need to do or am I ready for this next chapter?’
“And he has other opportunities, he has other things he can keep busy with,” said the former champion athlete to the media.
Manning—who retired after 16 seasons with New York Giants and winning two Super Bowls—remembers how he knew he was ready to leave the football field behind.
“I woke up one day and I just said, ‘Yes, it’s time. It’s time to do it. It’s too hard, it’s not worth the effort, and it’s just too hard. It’s getting harder to play at the level I want and expect to play at,'” he said.
Amid retirement rumors, Kelce has been tight-lipped about his future, however, he shed some light on where his mind is during a press conference on January 4.
“I have a lot of love for this team, this organization, and the people here, so I will spend time with them, go through the exit meetings tomorrow and get close to the family and see things.
“Who knows? Either it hits me soon or I have to take some time,” he said.
Manning’s comments about Kelce’s possible retirement come amid rumors that Kelce and Swift have put their wedding plans on hold.
Sources told the reporter Rob Shuter‘s Shutterscoop that the couple is excited about their wedding and want to make sure that every detail is perfect.
“They’re not even halfway through the guest list yet. Right now it’s more about enjoying time together than putting together spreadsheets.”
“Travis is still looking into whether he’s playing next year. They don’t want to stress the wedding when there’s so much going on,” said an insider.
Another source said, “Taylor is usually meticulous about all the details, but with Travis, she’s relaxed. They’re taking it easy. The wedding isn’t stressing them out yet — they’re enjoying the wedding.”
The singer and her NFL beau have been surrounded by marriage speculation since they announced their engagement in August.
Some say that Swift wanted to tie the knot early because she was “in a hurry” to have children, while others have revealed that the couple has paid many lovers to secure their dream wedding venue near the singer’s vacation home in Rhode Island.
“When it comes to planning a wedding, nothing feels urgent or one-sided. Both are equally involved and happy, and this is not something that one or the other carries alone. They approach it as a collaboration, talking about things together and enjoying the process in a way that feels natural to them,” the source told people.
Last week, Page Six reported that Swift and Kelce were planning to marry on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Ocean House resort in Westerly, RI, after they allegedly offered a large sum of money to encourage the couple, who had already booked the venue that day, to change their plans.
At first it was said that the two had done the same trickanother onepossible venue—a period mansion known as The Breakers—however it is understood they have changed their plans after realizing they wanted to invite more guests than they had originally planned—pushing the total number of invitees beyond their previously chosen venue.
Luckily, Ocean House has more than enough room for the couple and their celebrity guests—with reports suggesting stars like Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid, Patrick Mahomes again Cara Delevingne will be there.
The iconic property comes complete with 49 guest rooms, 20 suites, dozens of private gardens, private pools, hot tubs, and more.
There is also a private beach with white sand that offers surfing, surfing, kayaking, and other water activities.
