The Kansas City Chiefs got some uplifting news just weeks after a heartbreaking loss in the Super Bowl. Playing their worst game of the season, they were thoroughly dominated in a 40-22 loss, ending all hopes of the first-ever three-peat of the Super Bowl era.
Moreover, it put the future of Travis Kelce, already in doubt, into further jeopardy. Since then, rumors continue to swirl about what his next steps could be. Thanks to Pat McAfee, we finally got confirmation that Kelce will return next season. And one NFL analyst knows exactly why.
NFL Analyst Reveals Mindset for Travis Kelce Heading Into Next Season
The last two seasons have been the worst, at least from a statistical perspective, of Kelce’s career since Patrick Mahomes became his quarterback. He’s not reached the 1,000-yard mark, and this year, his effectiveness in the postseason also took an almighty dip.
But, he’s coming back next season, with vengeance on his mind. Speaking to McAfee, Kelce was clean on the agenda. “Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game…I can’t go out like that.”
And according to Louis Reddick, Kelce can still be extremely effective, even at his advanced age. “He never was, even at the height of his career someone who was a great separation simply because he was a great athlete. It’s because he was an instinctive player and someone who played very smart and in sync with the quarterback.”
"This is war this year."@LRiddickESPN explained what he thinks influenced Travis Kelce's decision to return next season pic.twitter.com/L7O75PIK19
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 27, 2025
To him, the legendary tight end has to carry a hard mindset into next season. “That’s really what he’s going to rely on, at this point in his career. I think the most telling thing about what he said about why he wanted to come back, I think it affected him that there were people on the sideline in that football game that were looking to him to get them going.”
But, even with those expectations, Kelce couldn’t come through. While he broke Jerry Rice’s record for most receptions in Super Bowl history, he could only manage 39 yards on the night. And for a surefire Hall of Famer like him, that underperformance has to sting.
“He couldn’t do it…I think Travis feels partly responsible for that cause he’s one of the guys who really is responsible for doing that kind of thing. And the fact that they couldn’t get going, he just doesn’t wanna go out like that.”
In the end, the mindset for next season for the entire Kansas City Chiefs locker room is clear. “This is war next season.” And for a player who’s made, “You gotta fight. For your right. To party,” his victory slogan, there couldn’t be better motivation.