Travis Kelce plans to get himself in the shape of his life after it was confirmed that he will continue his NFL career.
‘I can’t go out like that!!!!’ Kelce vowed in a text message to Pat McAfee, read out by the ESPN star on Wednesday.
The Chiefs star teased retirement after Kansas City’s Super Bowl humiliation at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles.
But on Thursday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show, the former punter read a text message from a ‘source’ which read: ‘I’m coming back for sure.’
‘I’m gonna try and get to the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop,’ the text message continued.
‘I 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!!!!’
Kelce and the Chiefs were beaten 40-22 by the Eagles in New Orleans, with the tight end managing only four catches for 39 yards. It later emerged that ‘he was battling with a pretty big illness’ before the Chiefs failed in their bid for a three-peat.
His relationship with Taylor Swift ensured he was rarely out of the spotlight and Kelce admitted that the grind of life in the NFL had driven him ‘crazy’ during the 2024 season.
‘It can weigh on you. It can make you better and it can drive you crazy at the same time… it was kind of driving me crazy this year,’ Kelce admitted.
But it now appears that the tight end will be returning for his 13th year in the league as Patrick Mahomes and Co look to reclaim their place atop the throne.
Initial reports claimed Kelce had until March 14 to decide whether he would come back for another year, or call it quits. But last week, his brother Jason suggested that, ‘in his heart,’ Travis has already made his choice.
On Tuesday, Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach then dropped a huge hint that Kelce would carry on.
‘I still think he has that fire and desire to play… we’re excited to get him back,’ Veach said. ‘I think Travis is excited to come back.’
The GM heaped praise on the tight end’s longevity during a remarkable career which has seen him win three Super Bowls.
‘He’s accomplished everything there is in this game and he has that unique ability, not just to make those around him better but find that extra something when you get late into the season and into the offseason,’ Veach continued.
‘He finds a way to stay in shape and produce at a level that only he can… that is such an intangible to have in the locker room with the guys and obviously the relationship he has with Pat (Mahomes) is unique too.
‘So he makes us better when he’s in our locker room and on the field and we’re excited to get him back.’
