Exclusive

Peyton Manning Has Some Advice For Travis Kelce Amid Retirement Rumors

As Travis Kelce contemplates retiring from the NFL, Peyton Manning offered his two cents in an exclusive interview with E! News at SNL 50: The Anniversary Special.

By Jamie Blynn Feb 17, 2025 8:07 PM
| Updated Feb 17, 2025 9:46 PM
Tags
Watch: Peyton Manning Has Some Advice For Travis Kelce Amid Retirement Rumors

Peyton Manning doesn't want Travis Kelce to fumble this decision.

Which is why the retired quarterback has some advice for Kelce as he considers hanging up his Kansas City Chiefs jersey for good.

"I hope he takes some time," Manning exclusively told E! News Feb. 16 at SNL 50: The Anniversary Special, "and he doesn’t make a rushed decision."

After all, emotions are still high coming off the Super Bowl, which saw the Philadelphia Eagles defeat Kelce and team. "So, the last thing you want to do is say ‘OK, I’m going to make a decision now,'" the 48-year-old continued. "Take some time. Take a full month. Let some things digest and calm down. He can make a better decision then." (For more from SNL 50, tune into E! News tonight, Feb. 17 at 11 p.m.)

However, Manning is rooting for Kelce—currently dating Taylor Swift—to sway one particular way. "I hope he comes back and plays," he told E!. "He's fun to watch, but he’s got to do what’s best for him."

read
Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes' Emotional Conversation After Super Bowl Loss Revealed

It's a sentiment Kelce's teammate Patrick Mahomes can get behind.

“I know he still has love for the game,” Mahomes told reporters after the Super Bowl Feb. 10. “And he'll get to spend some time with his family and make that decision on his own, but he knows he'll come back here with welcome arms. We love that guy not only for the football player, but the person that he is every single day.”

Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

As for what Kelce has to say about it all?

"Right now, the biggest thing is just being there for my teammates and being there for my coaches, understanding that there's a lot that goes into this thing," he said on his and Jason Kelce's New Heights podcast. "The fact that we keep going to those AFC Championships, to Super Bowls, that means I’m playing an extra three games more than everybody else in the entire league. And that’s a lot of wear and tear on your body."

"And that’s a lot of time spent in the building, focusing on your craft, focusing on the task at hand and every challenge that you set up for yourself," the 35-year-old continued. "It can make you better or it can drive you crazy. And right now it’s one of those things where it was kind of driving me crazy this year."

(Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

All that to say, "I’m gonna take some time to figure it out,” Kelce shared. “I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back, that it’s gonna be something that it’s a wholehearted decision...It’s just whether or not I’m motivated or it’s the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person, to take on all that responsibility.”

While Kelce mulls over his next play, read on to see every star celebrating SNL 50...

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

Kim Kardashian

Miley Cyrus

Pete Davidson

Dakota Johnson

Lady Gaga and Michael Polansky

Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost

Jackie Sandler and Adam Sandler

Kenan Thompson

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson

Sabrina Carpenter

Meryl Streep

Eddie Murphy

Emma Stone and Dave McCary

Alexander Edwards and Cher

Bad Bunny

Amy Poehler

Tina Fey

Maya Rudolph

Miles Teller and Keleigh Sperry Teller

Drew Barrymore

Zahra Rock and Chris Rock

Will Ferrell

Chris Fischer and Amy Schumer

Chris Pine

Kate McKinnon

Sandra Oh

Lauren Miller and Seth Rogen

Nick Jonas

Aidy Bryant

photos
View More Photos From SNL 50 Red Carpet Fashion: See Every Celebrity