After the Kansas City Chiefs suffered a decisive loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, tight end Travis Kelce declared his intention to return for the 2025 NFL season. Kelce also vowed to improve his physical condition to reach a new level of performance.
In a text shared with ESPN’s Pat McAfee, Kelce expressed,
“My dog!!! I’m coming back for sure,”
adding,
“Gonna try and get to the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop.”
He acknowledged his disappointment with his recent performance, stating,
“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!!!!”
Focused Offseason Training in Boca Raton
Kelce spent the months following the Super Bowl in Boca Raton, Florida, dedicating himself to rigorous training. This preparation was aimed at improving his conditioning ahead of the team’s Organized Team Activities scheduled for later in the season.
Patrick Mahomes Shares Thoughts on Kelce’s Future
During a May 29 press conference, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes addressed speculation about whether the upcoming season might be Kelce’s last. Despite Kelce’s contract, valued at $34.25 million, expiring after the 2025-26 season, Mahomes remains confident that Kelce is not ready to retire.
Mahomes remarked,
“If it’s the last ride, you’d never know. The way he’s talking about football, the way he’s talking about working, trying to be even better this year than he was last year — it doesn’t seem like a guy that it’s his last ride, like he’s tired of the job.”
He further noted,
“He’s in here, he’s working. I know his body feels good. I think it feels even better than ever last year before going into last season just because I think he’s motivated to go out there and have even better year than he has this last.”
Kelce’s 2024 Season Performance and What Lies Ahead
Kelce’s statistics from the 2024 regular season reflected a dip in some key areas, including the fewest receiving yards (823), touchdowns (3), and yards per reception (8.5) since his rookie year when he appeared in only one game. Despite these numbers, his determination to improve suggests a strong comeback is expected.
This renewed commitment and Mahomes’ confidence emphasize Kelce’s significant role in the Chiefs’ lineup moving forward, hinting that fans can anticipate his continued presence on the field for the 2025 season and possibly beyond.