"Because he’s famous....": Travis Kelce faces brutal verdict over potential NFL broadcasting career as retirement rumors grow

Travis Kelce may have a future beyond the Kansas City Chiefs, but stepping into an NFL broadcast booth could bring a challenge unlike anything he has faced on the field. As retirement talk follows the 36-year-old tight end ahead of his October birthday, his potential move into sports media has sparked a debate. Some analysts question whether his star power would translate into strong game commentary, despite his football experience and growing media presence.Travis Kelce's NFL broadcasting future questioned by media criticsThe discussion took a sharp turn on the September 16 episode of the Awful Announcing podcast. Brendon Kleen pushed back against the growing buzz around Kelce's potential broadcasting career, arguing that his celebrity status may be driving the speculation.“Can I just butt in there?” Brendon Kleen shared on the September 16 episode of the Awful Announcing podcast. “I was going to bring that up after you were done, but there is no evidence Travis Kelce would be interested in or good at calling NFL games. That is made up. It is because he’s famous. That’s it.”Drew Lerner echoed those doubts, cautioning against treating a possible media career as a certainty.“I don’t know if it’s made up. I think there is smoke there because reputable people have talked about this. I know I’m saying Kelce wouldn’t even be good at it,” Drew Lerner added. “ … I just think we are way over our skis just with this assumption that by next year Travis Kelce is going to be like breaking down fourth downs for the Commanders in week nine on a game call.”The criticism comes despite Kelce's 14 seasons of NFL experience and three Super Bowl wins. His knowledge of the game could offer valuable insight, but live commentary requires a different set of skills. He would need to explain complex plays clearly while keeping pace with the action.Travis Kelce's broadcasting opportunities could command $15 millionStill, Kelce could attract serious interest from major networks. Andrew Marchand of The Athletic previously reported that Amazon Prime Video could consider replacing Kirk Herbstreit. Kelce was mentioned as a wild-card candidate, alongside reported priorities Greg Olsen and J.J. Watt.The potential opening on Thursday Night Football could also draw attention if Al Michaels retires. Marchand has reported that Kelce could command $15 million for a studio role alone, highlighting his commercial appeal.Kelce has already shown interest in exploring broadcasting. On Bussin’ With The Boys in July 2025, he said:“I wanna see what calling a game feels like,” Kelce said on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast in July last year. “Getting in the booth. I’ve always impersonated guys that call the games and stuff like that growing up. I don’t know, I thought it would always be fun to just jump in there. Player names is where I would get \[expletive\] ruined.”His New Heights podcast and 2023 Saturday Night Live appearance have also helped him build a media profile. CBS Sports analyst Nate Burleson even offered to take a pay cut to help bring Kelce to the network.“What I do know is whoever is going after Travis, they’re going to have to back that Brinks truck up, because one, he’s made a ton of money in the league,” Burleson told Front Office Sports. “His lady \[Taylor Swift\] got paper, I’ll be honest. So, he’s not gonna show up for cheap change. And I don’t know if CBS got the budget, but I’d gladly take a pay cut.”For now, Kelce has not committed to a broadcasting career. His next move remains open, and the debate over his potential in the booth is far from settled.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.