Travis Kelce confirms NFL return after Super Bowl heartbreak

Travis Kelce has confirmed he is NOT retiring and will return to the Kansas City Chiefs next season.

The legendary tight end teased walking away from the NFL following this month’s Super Bowl, when Kansas City was humiliated by the Philadelphia Eagles.

But on Wednesday, ESPN star Pat McAfee read out a text message from a ‘source’ which read: “My dog!!! I’m coming back for sure.

“Gonna try and get to the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop,” McAfee’s source—almost certainly Kelce—continued in the first person. “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!!!!”

Super Bowl struggles weighed on his decision

Kelce only managed four receptions in the blowout Super Bowl defeat to the Eagles while also dropping two passes. However, Chiefs GM Brett Veach has since revealed the tight end was battling an illness leading up to the game.

The 35-year-old was noncommittal about his playing future after the loss, saying on his subsequent New Heights podcast he would “take some time to figure it out.”

But if he is still on Kansas City’s roster by March 15, he will receive a $12.5 million roster bonus, according to Spotrac. That figure would come in addition to the $4.5 million in base salary he is set to receive in 2025.

If Kelce retired—or was cut by the team—it would save the Chiefs $17 million in cap space.

Chiefs set deadline for retirement decision

If Kelce does choose to hang his cleats up, he is expected to inform the Chiefs of that decision before the bonus kicks in.

The Athletic previously reported that the Chiefs want to know whether Kelce is playing or retiring around March 14—the day before the sum would be awarded to the player.

That date is also about five weeks before the NFL Draft—where the Chiefs could look for a tight end to groom behind him.

Kelce was fifth among tight ends in 2024 with 823 receiving yards, though that total was his lowest since his sophomore season in 2014.

The tight end also hauled in just three touchdowns this season and was quiet in Super Bowl LIX, catching four passes for 39 yards in his team’s 40-22 loss.

Chiefs GM reveals Kelce was sick before Super Bowl

On Tuesday, at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Veach explained Kelce had been sick in the lead-up to the game in New Orleans.

“We’re never going to make excuses and talk about it, but he was battling with a pretty big illness before the Super Bowl,” he told NFL Network.

Veach added: “The way the Eagles played it wouldn’t have made a difference… we just picked a bad day to have a bad day, but like anything in life, you learn more from the losses than the wins.”

Kelce admits NFL grind has been “grueling”

Kelce’s future has been in huge doubt following the Super Bowl, with the 35-year-old admitting that the grind of playing in the NFL “can be grueling.”

“It can weigh on you. It can make you better and it can drive you crazy at the same time… it was kind of driving me crazy this year,” Kelce admitted.

But Veach is confident that the tight end will return for at least one more season.

“We anticipate Travis being back,” he said. “I think Travis is excited to come back… we’re excited to have Travis back, and that’s how we’re operating this offseason.”

Kelce expected to see out final contract year

The GM heaped praise on the tight end’s longevity during a remarkable career, which has seen him win three Super Bowls.

“He’s accomplished everything there is in this game, and he has that unique ability not just to make those around him better but find that extra something when you get late into the season and into the offseason,” Veach continued.

“He finds a way to stay in shape and produce at a level that only he can… that is such an intangible to have in the locker room with the guys, and obviously, the relationship he has with Pat (Mahomes) is unique too.

“So he makes us better when he’s in our locker room and on the field, and we’re excited to get him back.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Veach dropped the biggest hint yet that the tight end would see out the final year of his contract.

“I still think he has that fire and desire to play,” Veach said. “We left it as he’d be back, and we’re excited to get him back. And get him going.”

Initial reports claimed Kelce had until March 14 to decide whether he would come back for another year or call it quits; last week, his brother Jason suggested that “in his heart,” Travis had already made his choice.

Kelce’s return isn’t a complete surprise. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported as much earlier this week. Speaking on the Rich Eisen Show, Russini said that from conversations she’s had, there’s “definitely a sense” that Kelce will continue playing.