Last offseason, Travis Kelce had the Philadelphia Eagles on his mind as he contemplated returning to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025. A year later, situations are quite similar as he thinks about retirement once again. However, this time, the eagles on his mind are from golf as he suited up to make his Waste Management Phoenix Open Pro-Am debut.

Kelce is competing in the star-studded charity event on Wednesday ahead of the WMPO. He is paired with Scottie Scheffler on the front nine and Brooks Koepka on the back. The WM Phoenix Open is the most-attended and one of the most celebrated events on the PGA Tour. For his part, Kelce didn’t disappoint either.

He wore a navy-colored retro Nike vest over a white polo, paired with tan pants and a navy cap. As he was being introduced at TPC Scottsdale, the host was about to ask him if he was nervous. Instead, with Taylor Swift’s songs blaring on the 16th hole, Kelce snatched the microphone and introduced himself to the crowd.

If his mere presence wasn’t enough, Kelce actually showed off his golf talent. At the par-3 16th hole, he almost had an eagle. He hit the ball right across the green, and it landed a few feet away from the cup for a birdie. That swing helped propel him to the Gold Chain.

The three-time Super Bowl champion is used to competing in early February. But with the Chiefs failing to make it to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade after a disappointing 6-11 record, Kelce got time to appear on the greens more. Meanwhile, Scheffler is reappearing in WMPO as a two-time champion of the event. This is Brooks Koepka’s second PGA Tour event after reinstatement.

Kelce’s participation is a big deal because the event is happening during the same week the NFL is getting ready for Super Bowl LX. As a three-time champion and one of the most famous athletes in the country, his presence helps attract a national audience.

Travis Kelce is playing in the WM Phoenix Open Pro-Am today. Paired with Scottie Scheffler on the front nine and Brooks Koepka on the back.

His high-energy personality is a perfect fit for this event, which is known for being more about fun and fan interaction than a typical serious golf match. The future NFL Hall of Famer even got tournament chairman Jason Eisenberg praising him.

“Travis Kelce is one of the most accomplished and recognizable athletes of his generation. His championship pedigree, competitive mindset, and star power make him a tremendous addition to the Annexus Pro-Am and an exciting presence for our fans during tournament week.”

Apart from Travis Kelce, many other high-profile athletes teed it up in Arizona. This year’s Annexus Pro-Am also featured Trey McBride, Budda Baker, Zaven Collins, and Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham. Mainstays of the event like Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald, Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, and Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps and Carli Lloyd were also present.

While Kelce is a frequent golfer, his appearance at this year’s Pro-Am feels particularly significant due to the swirling rumors regarding his retirement from the NFL. So far, he has been open about the fact that he is “searching for answers” about his future. But his teammates continue to push the idea forward that he is indeed returning.

Travis Kelce’s future remains undecided as his teammates wish for his return

Travis Kelce’s future in the NFL remains a major talking point, especially as he approaches the age of 36. Where many players choose to retire at this stage, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end has yet to make an official announcement. But his teammate, Trey Smith, recently provided a reassuring update. 

“Trav’s a man, and I love every play,” Trey Smith said while speaking to talkSPORT USA’s Will Gavin. “A guy who brings passion and energy, that’s going to be able to rally the troops… A guy that inspires you to go harder… He’s a dude I consider a close friend, a guy I care about a lot… It’s so much fun playing with Travis, excited about next year with him as well, and he’s just going to keep pushing, man.” 

Apart from Smith, Chris Jones has also wished for another year alongside Kelce. Now, there are a few reasons why Kelce might return. First, there is his competitive nature. He returned for the 2025 season just to help the Chiefs to the postseason and a possible ring. However, with many factors stopping them early, he could not end his possible final season as he might have wanted.

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Then again, he never really got to know when his final catch from Patrick Mahomes would be, as the quarterback tore his ACL earlier. The return of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator can also influence his final decision.

Despite these optimistic words from the locker room, Kelce himself has been careful with his public statements.

In his previous interviews, he has acknowledged that his career is in a transition phase, noting that any decision to return involves a “two-way street” between him and the Chiefs organization. 

Kelce’s performance on the field suggests he still has plenty to offer, even if he isn’t hitting the record-breaking numbers of his prime. He finished a solid season with 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns, which actually showed an improvement over his 2024 production.

He has emphasized that he wants to give the “Chiefs Kingdom” everything he has left while he is still on the field. After a tough loss to the Denver Broncos late in the season, he remained vague, explaining that he would need to consult with his family and friends before making a final commitment. He is certainly following through on his aim to relax as he chills in the desert.