Nate Burleson, a prominent figure in CBS's NFL coverage, has expressed his willingness to accept a reduced salary if it helps the network secure Travis Kelce for broadcasting duties after his retirement. Burleson stated that any team pursuing Kelce would need to "back that Brinks truck up," acknowledging the tight end's substantial earnings during his playing career and his partner Taylor Swift's financial success.
Kelce, 36, is entering his 14th season with the Kansas City Chiefs and is widely expected to retire after the upcoming season. The possibility of him transitioning to television is high, especially with his brother Jason Kelce already established in the broadcasting world with ESPN. Travis Kelce has also begun exploring entertainment ventures, including hosting "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" on Amazon Prime Video, a role in FX's "Grotesquerie," and a cameo in Adam Sandler's "Happy Gilmore 2." He and his brother also co-host the popular "New Heights" podcast.
Burleson, who also appears on "CBS Mornings," highlighted Kelce's suitability for broadcasting. "He’s articulate, he got the swag, he knows the game and he’s a master of being in front of a microphone given his podcast and the success," Burleson said. He noted that Jason Kelce, despite initial reluctance, was heavily pursued by multiple networks before joining ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown."
Travis Kelce is expected to play at least one more season for the Chiefs. The team faced a challenging 2025 season, marked by Patrick Mahomes' ACL tear in December, though the quarterback is targeting a Week 1 return for the upcoming season.