Eli Manning Weighs In on Travis Kelce Retirement Rumors—Amid Reports Kansas City Chiefs Star’s Wedding Plans With Taylor Swift Are ‘On Hold’

Eli Manning has shared his thoughts on the Travis Kelce retirement rumors amid reports that the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and Taylor Swift have put their wedding plans "on hold."

Manning, who retired in 2020, opened up to People about the furious speculation that Kelce, 36, is preparing to hang up his football jersey at the end of this season—after his team missed its shot at a spot in the NFL playoffs.

Kelce—who announced his engagement to Swift, also 36, in August—has been dogged by rumors that he will end his professional career since the start of the season but has thus far refused to confirm whether he plans to play for another year.

According to Manning, the Kansas City Chiefs star is likely going through a whirlwind of emotion ahead of his retirement, whenever that is, with the former quarterback admitting that he knows the feeling well.

“That's his decision, that only he can make, and only he knows what his desire and commitment towards it is," Manning said.

"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 gotta work twice as hard to get half the results—the injuries, the buildup, you're getting slower, the fast-twitch motions.

“I think as [Kelce] thinks over these next few weeks or months, he'll kind of know like, ‘Hey, am I itching to get back 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's got other opportunities, he's got other things that he can stay busy with," the former pro athlete told the outlet.

Manning—who retired following 16 seasons with the New York Giants and two Super Bowl wins—recalled how he knew he was ready to leave the football field behind.

“I kinda woke up one day and I just said, ‘Yep, it's time. It's time to be done. It's just too hard, it's not worth the effort, and it's just too much of a grind. It’s just gotten too difficult to play at this level that I want and expect to play at,'" he said.

Amid retirement rumors, Kelce been staying tight-lipped about his future, however, he did shed some light on where his mind is at during a press conference Jan. 4.

"I've got so much love for this team, this organization, and the people here, so I’ll spend some time with them, go through exit meetings tomorrow and get close to the family and figure things out.

"Who knows? Either it hits me quick or I gotta take some time," he said.

Manning's opinions on Kelce's potential retirement comes amid rumors that Kelce and Swift have put a pause on their wedding planning.

Sources told journalist Rob Shuter's Shuterscoop that the couple is savoring their engagement and want to make sure every detail is perfect.

“They’re not even halfway through the guest list. Right now it’s more about enjoying time together than crunching spreadsheets.”

“Travis is still figuring out if he’s playing next year. They don’t want to stress over a wedding when there’s so much else going on," one insider said.

Another source said, “Taylor is usually so meticulous about every detail, but with Travis, she’s relaxed. They’re taking it slow. The wedding isn’t stressing them out yet—they’re savoring the engagement."

The singer and her NFL star fiance have been surrounded by speculation about their nuptials since they announced their engagement in August.

Some have claimed that Swift was desperate to tie the knot as soon as possible because she was in a "hurry" to have children, while others have suggested that the couple has paid off multiple couples in a bid to secure their dream wedding venue near the singer's vacation home in Rhode Island.

"When it comes to wedding planning, nothing feels rushed or one-sided. They’re both equally involved and excited, and this isn’t something one or the other is carrying on their own. They’re approaching it as a partnership, talking things through together and enjoying the process in a way that feels natural to them," a source told People.

Weeks earlier, Page Six reported that Swift and Kelce are planning to wed on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Ocean House resort in Westerly, RI, having allegedly offered a very hefty sum to encourage a couple who had already booked the venue for that date to change their plans.

It had initially been claimed that the duo had pulled a similar tactic with another potential venue—a Gilded Age mansion known as The Breakers—however they are understood to have pivoted their plans after realizing they wanted to invite more guests than they had initially planned for—pushing the total number of invitees to more than their previously chosen location could accommodate.

Luckily, Ocean House has ample room for the couple and their many celebrity guests—with reports suggesting that such stars as Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid, Patrick Mahomes and Cara Delevingne will attend.

The iconic property comes complete with 49 guest rooms, 20 suites, a slew of private terraces, private pools, hot tubs, and more.

There is also a private white-sand beach that offers surfing, kayaking, and other water activities.