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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he knew "about midway through the [2025] season" that he was going to return to the team for his 14th year during the latest episode of his New Heights podcast released on Wednesday (March 11).
Kelce, 36, told his brother and co-host, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, that he was taking his advice while mulling his own retirement decision before ultimately re-signing with the Chiefs earlier this week.
“You know, I was taking Jason Kelce’s advice. I was taking the advice to take a step back,” Travis said. “You gotta let the emotions clear and you gotta have a clear head. I’ve made decisions based off of emotions and, you know, they haven’t always played out the right way. So I think taking a step back letting the emotions settle down, the frustrations from the season.”
Kelce reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year, $12 million deal in 2026 with a chance to make $15 million ahead of his 14th NFL season, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported during the NFL legal tampering period on Monday (March 9). The Chiefs missed the playoffs for only the second time in the three-time Super Bowl champion's 13-year NFL career, which he said also played a factor in his decision.
“Of course I want to come back,” Travis said. “Of course I don’t want to end my career not making the playoffs and not having one of the best years. It still felt like I was hungry enough to get back at it.”
“Obviously, there’s still a little bit of that grit and that emotion. I f**king hated the way that s**t ended last year. I wanna make it right. I wanna get another chance at another f**king Super Bowl," he added.
Kelce finished the 2025 NFL season with 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns, having been selected as a Pro Bowler for the 11th consecutive season.