Following the Kansas City Chiefs’ loss in the 2025 Super Bowl, Patrick Mahomes said he was “not sure” if Kelce would return or retire
Travis Kelce says he’s not done with football just yet.
After months of speculation about whether or not Kelce, 35, will retire from the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs star shared that he’s returning to professional football for another season.
On an episode of the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, Feb. 27, McAfee read a text message he received from the tight end.
According to the text message, Kelce said he’s “coming back for sure” next season with the Chiefs. “Gonna try and get to the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop,” Kelce continued, per McAfee.
The Chiefs star reportedly added, “Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and how I got the guys ready for battle. I can’t go out like that!!!!”
After a disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 Super Bowl on Feb. 9, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said he was “not sure” if Kelce would return to the NFL for another season.
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Photo: Kevin Sabitus/Getty
Earlier this month, The Athletic reported that the team needs his decision by March 14. The tight end’s contract with the Chiefs runs through the 2025 season and includes an $11.5 million roster bonus that is due to him on March 15 if he stays with the team, the outlet noted.
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Photo: Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Mahomes said he’s going to “let Travis make that decision on his own” after he deserves some well-deserved rest following a long season. “He’s given so much to this team and to the NFL,” Mahomes said of the superstar tight end. “And he’s been such a joy, not only for me to work with, but for people to watch.”
Jason Kelce, who retired in March 2024, spoke about his brother’s difficult decision during a Feb. 21 episode of The Steam Room, saying, “I think Travis, I think he probably, in his heart, already knows what he wants to do. That’s the reality of it.”
