Travis Kelce, the star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, has made it clear that he is not retiring anytime soon despite the tough Super Bowl loss in 2025 that led to speculation about his future in the NFL. In a candid conversation with his brother, former Eagles player Jason Kelce, during the March 5th episode of their podcast New Heights, the 35-year-old player shared the real reason why he plans to continue playing, even after feeling he “let his guys down.”
While reflecting on the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss earlier this year, Kelce admitted that he didn’t feel his performance in the game lived up to his usual standard. “The biggest thing is that I love playing the game of football,” Travis said. “I still feel like I could play it at a high level, and possibly at a higher level than I did last year. I don’t think it was my best outing. You know, I think I let my guys down in a lot more moments than I helped them. Especially if you look at my track record and how I’ve been in years past.”
Despite these feelings, Kelce emphasized that his commitment to the game and to his team is what keeps him motivated. “I just want to give it a good run,” he said. “I got a bad taste in my mouth on how I ended the year and how well I was playing and how accountable I was for the people around me.”
Aside from his passion for football, Kelce also pointed to his deep connection with Kansas City and the Chiefs organization. “I love so many people in Kansas City, both in that facility and in the community. It’s home for me now,” he explained. “I don’t want to leave that life yet. I’ve put in a lot of hard work and a lot of focus into being the best I can for KC. Last year just didn’t end well for us. I feel like there’s a responsibility in me to play out the contract that I initially signed and give Kansas City and the Chiefs organization everything that I’ve got. That’s what I’m going to do.”
The decision to continue playing was not one made lightly, especially after 12 years in the NFL. Rumors about Kelce’s retirement swirled after the Super Bowl loss, but he explained his decision-making process to Jason, saying, “It’s similar to all the other decisions I make and it’s just off of feel. I don’t really measure the pros and cons. I just go off of feel—pure gut feeling. And I love this game, man.”
Kelce also gave a special shout-out to his head coach, Andy Reid, who has had a significant influence on his life both on and off the field. “Not only that, I love going into the building with the guys that are there. Coach Reid has been one of the biggest influences on my life, not just in the game of football, and I don’t want to stop going to work with him,” Kelce said with sincerity.
In the end, Travis Kelce’s commitment to his team, his love for the game, and his deep ties to Kansas City are the key factors that drive his decision to keep playing. Even after a tough Super Bowl, Kelce remains focused on giving it his all and fulfilling his responsibilities to the Chiefs, as he gears up for another season in the NFL.
