Travis Kelce is returning for yet another season. This major announcement shook the football community on Thursday when ESPN sportscaster Pat McAfee shared on his show that he received a direct message from the Kansas City Chiefs star regarding his choice to continue playing instead of retiring.
As per McAfee, he contacted Kelce personally during the discussions about the latter’s possible retirement. In a powerful text message that McAfee read word for word on the program, Kelce stated that he’s “definitely returning.”
In the same statement, the four-time All-Pro tight end disclosed that a major factor influencing his choice to continue playing relates to his actions prior to Super Bowl LIX.
“I have a really unpleasant feeling about how I performed in that last game and how I prepared the team for the challenge,” Kelce stated. “I can’t leave the house looking like that!!!!”
Kelce is not just one of the greatest tight ends to have ever played. The 10-time Pro Bowler also takes pride in being the top leader possible for his team.
From his comments here, Kelce expresses disappointment about not fulfilling his role as a leader for his teammates before the Super Bowl.
Kelce clearly isn’t satisfied with his showing in their devastating 40-22 defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles in the championship (he grabbed four receptions for 39 yards), but it appears that he is just as let down by his inability to prepare his teammates mentally before they entered the game.
Considering everything, Kelce has decided to play for at least one additional season. Whether this will be his last season or if he plans to extend his contract with the Chiefs after 2025 is a matter for another time.