Travis Kelce isn’t done yet. After a season that fell short of expectations and a brutal Super Bowl 59 loss, the Kansas City Chiefs’ legendary tight end hopes to run it back in 2025. For those who pondered on his retirement at 35, he’s focused on bouncing back stronger than ever.
Pat McAfee Confirms TE Travis Kelce Will Be Back in 2025
Despite turning 35, Kelce remains one of the most reliable players at his position. However, this past season wasn’t up to his standards, and the Chiefs’ TE is determined to prove he still has plenty left in the tank.
“I’M COMING BACK FOR SURE,” Pat McAfee quoted his “source,” who seemed to be none other than Kelce himself.
“I’m gonna get in the best shape of my life this offseason and get back to the mountaintop. I’ve got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game, and with how I got the guys ready for battle. I can’t go out like that!!!!”
I reached out to source(s) on the future of @tkelce..
Source(s) said I'M COMING BACK FOR SURE..
I'm gonna get in the best shape of my life this offseason..
I've got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and I can't go out like that!!!! #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/HqfpdqEjqa
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 27, 2025
That last game — a 40-22 Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles — left Kelce unsatisfied. He managed just four catches for 39 yards as the Chiefs’ three-peat hopes crumbled. It was a tough end to a season in which he posted his lowest numbers in receiving yards (823) and touchdowns (3) since his rookie year.
Kelce already holds the most receptions in postseason history (178) and sits second in playoff receiving yards (2,078), trailing only Jerry Rice (2,245). Even in a down year, he led Kansas City in receptions (97) and continued to be Patrick Mahomes’ most trusted target.
Kelce’s return is huge for the Chiefs, but there’s no denying his role is evolving. Over the past five years, his EPA per target (a key efficiency metric) has declined, dropping from first among tight ends in 2020 to 10th in 2024.
Meanwhile, younger stars like Brock Bowers, Sam LaPorta, and Trey McBride have surged ahead in production. Still, Kelce’s experience and chemistry with Mahomes remain invaluable.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said at the NFL Scouting Combine this week that the team was operating as if the four-time All-Pro would be coming back to play in 2025. Kelce had reportedly been given a March 14 deadline to make a decision, as he is due a $12.5 million roster bonus on March 15. However, Veach noted there was no real rush, as the organization was confident Kelce would return.
Even with speculation about his future, Kelce isn’t entertaining the idea of leaving Kansas City, and it is certainly one could hope for!
