KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Day after day in late February, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs star tight finish Travis Kelce saved saying the identical factor, each to himself and those that puzzled about his future — individuals akin to coach Andy Reid; quarterback Patrick Mahomes; receiver Rashee Rice; his brother, Jason, the previous Philadelphia Eagles heart; and even TV host Pat McAfee.
“I am unable to exit like that.”
These six phrases had been the principle motivation for every little thing Kelce has completed since early March, and every little thing main as much as subsequent week when the Chiefs begin their season in São Paulo in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers in what could possibly be the ultimate season of Kelce’s illustrious NFL profession.
Since he introduced his return to the Chiefs in late February, all indicators have pointed to the 2025 season being Kelce’s final. Since June, Kelce, who’s within the last 12 months of his contract, has spoken about his future with the crew by means of solely this season. A number of members of the Chiefs’ group, together with within the entrance workplace and enterprise division, are coy to make use of the phrase “retirement,” however they’ve already expressed their appreciation for Kelce’s significance to the franchise and have mentioned they hope to expertise loads of pleasure whereas cherishing his performances.
If that is, the truth is, Kelce’s final trip, he’s hoping to tug off a grand end. He desires to steer the Chiefs again to the Tremendous Bowl — and a victory to recapture the Lombardi Trophy that eluded them final season — by maximizing every little thing he has left, hoping to exhibit a mastery of mixing knowledge gleaned from his 12-plus seasons of NFL expertise with a reconditioned physique he spent the offseason revamping.
Kelce, who will flip 36 in October, is understood for his skill to excel within the highlight. He helped lead the Chiefs to 3 Tremendous Bowl victories, he’s already probably the most proficient cross catcher within the historical past of the NFL’s postseason, and he helped redefine the tight finish place by means of his revolutionary route operating during which he ad-libs based mostly on protection. And he is aware of an even bigger highlight, and much more cameras, might be awaiting him every time he stops operating routes. He’s anticipated to have the possibility to additional develop as an American popular culture icon; and on Tuesday afternoon, he and pop star girlfriend Taylor Swift introduced their engagement on social media.
However first, the Chiefs wish to give Kelce a Hollywood-like ending in February, mirroring different Corridor of Fame gamers who’ve ended their careers with a Tremendous Bowl title — akin to quarterback John Elway, operating again Jerome Bettis and quarterback Peyton Manning.
“Hopefully he’ll exit a champion,” Chiefs common supervisor Brett Veach mentioned on the NFL mix. “Hopefully, he has a magical season to finish a magical profession.”
The final time followers watched Kelce on the sector, the Chiefs had been dominated in Tremendous Bowl LIX by the Eagles. Kelce — within the midst of a marketing campaign during which he posted profession lows in receiving yards (823), yards per reception (8.5) and receiving touchdowns (3) — had his worst efficiency of final season on the game’s greatest stage, too, main some analysts and followers to query if he might nonetheless be an efficient participant on a crew with championship aspirations.
Seven months later, Kelce, who ranks fifth in Chiefs franchise historical past in video games performed (200), says he now not cares about particular person targets. He already has among the finest careers for a decent finish in NFL historical past. He enters the season third all-time amongst tight ends in profession receptions (1,004) and receiving yards (12,151), and fifth in receiving touchdowns (77). He and Mahomes have related on 17 postseason touchdowns, probably the most by any duo in NFL historical past.
He is taking part in this season for one motive and one motive solely: successful a fourth Tremendous Bowl ring.
“That is the one approach I decide whether or not it is a success or not,” Kelce mentioned.
THOUGH SUPER BOWL LIX had but to finish, the scoreboards inside Caesars Superdome in New Orleans that February evening displayed that the Chiefs’ 2024 season — and their quest to develop into the NFL’s first three-peat champion within the Tremendous Bowl period — was completed.
Within the moments simply earlier than the Eagles celebrated their 40-22 victory, Mahomes greeted as many teammates as he might — the quarterback thanking his teammates for his or her diligence and brotherhood alongside the Chiefs sideline. When Mahomes reached Kelce, the 2 dapped, hugged and instructed each other they beloved one another.
“I owe you a large number for what you’ve got completed,” Kelce instructed Mahomes.
The scene was the primary glimpse of Mahomes realizing that maybe he may not have his dependable tight finish accessible for his subsequent important third-down play. For 2 weeks following the sport, Mahomes by no means approached Kelce about the potential of retirement however mentioned the thought was at all times there.
“You’ve that at the back of your thoughts,” Mahomes mentioned in June.
it is a brotherhood pic.twitter.com/nrIh85MGTt
— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2025
When Kelce made up his thoughts to return for 2025, lower than every week after the Tremendous Bowl loss, the primary individual he instructed was Reid — the lone coach he has performed for in his NFL profession.
Two weeks later, on the mix, the information of Kelce’s resolution was shared on “The Pat McAfee Present.” Throughout this system, McAfee learn a textual content he acquired from Kelce.
“I am coming again for certain. Gonna attempt to get into the perfect form I have been this offseason and get again to the mountaintop,” Kelce wrote within the textual content. “Bought an actual dangerous style in my mouth with how I performed in that final sport and with how I obtained the fellows prepared for battle.
“I am unable to exit like that!!!!”
Later that Thursday, the “New Heights” podcast, hosted by Kelce and his brother, Jason, posted a affirmation on X: “From the desk of @tkelce: ITS TIME FOR YEAR 13.”
One motive Kelce selected to not retire is as a result of he believed he might make important enhancements to his health.
“I really like soccer,” Kelce mentioned. “It is all I do know, man. It is nonetheless my childhood dream. I actually did not really feel prefer it was my final sport.”
IN JUNE, a month earlier than the Chiefs’ coaching camp, Kelce was again in a well-known setting. Whereas chatting with reporters in entrance of a backdrop with the Chiefs’ emblem on it, Kelce raised his arms and chuckled. He needed to cease a rumor.
“First off, I by no means mentioned that,” Kelce mentioned whereas smiling, his try and squash an ESPN report, sourced from somebody in his interior circle, that Kelce misplaced 25 kilos within the 4 months because the Tremendous Bowl.
Then, with fast comedic timing, Kelce confirmed his proper index finger for the cameras.
“Do not consider all you learn on the web, guys, all proper,” Kelce mentioned through the information convention. “I by no means instructed anyone.”
Then, together with his head bowed, Kelce acknowledged the reality: He the truth is did lose some weight, an quantity he felt was vital for him to be at his finest in his thirteenth NFL season though he declined to share the precise quantity.
Kelce’s first resolution after the choice was to have his offseason routine comply with a less complicated method.
The 2024 offseason was probably the most hectic of his life. He bounced from one occasion to the subsequent, from one part-time TV job to the subsequent and even had a supporting actor function in “Completely happy Gilmore 2,” the comedy starring Adam Sandler. And naturally, he traveled throughout Europe with Swift at many stops on her Eras Tour, even performing a small function along with her throughout one live performance in London. Throughout that point, one in every of his three private trainers — Alex Skacel, Andrew Spruill and Laurence Justin Ng — was normally with him, specializing in sustaining his power.
This offseason was completely different. Kelce did what he did when he was a youthful participant: He educated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with coach Tony Villani to recapture a few of the velocity, agility and quickness he felt he had misplaced over time. A big focus for Kelce was plyometrics, periods the place he needed to realize better explosion when altering instructions, a trait he mastered earlier in his profession when he had the ball in the midst of the sector to elude defenders.
“You have to rebuild [your body],” Kelce mentioned. “This 12 months, I obtained a while to actually give attention to some form-running and a few issues early on within the offseason that I simply did not have time for final 12 months. Actually, I am feeling good, and I believe it will repay.”
Killa Trav’s nonetheless obtained it 🏹 pic.twitter.com/h6YAtdw2sp
— Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 1, 2025
Mahomes has seen the work Kelce put on this offseason.
“For him, recalibrating and seeing the place he is at, he is excited for one more probability to make a run at it,” Mahomes mentioned. “He is working, and I do know his physique feels good. It feels higher than even final 12 months earlier than going into final season.”
Kelce’s first take a look at to see whether or not his altered routine labored was through the first week of the Chiefs’ camp final month.
Slimmer and energized, Kelce made spectacular highlights that produced a few of the loudest roars from followers who attended practices. In a one-on-one matchup with security Jaden Hicks, Kelce caught the ball and did his signature hesitation and wiggle strikes to evade Hicks for added yards. And some minutes later, Kelce ran a slick seam route earlier than leaping to catch a cross between linebacker Nick Bolton and security Bryan Prepare dinner. Kelce additionally flashed his restored burst and acceleration whereas sprinting alongside the sideline for a 40-yard landing, main Reid to quip concerning the tight finish’s bodily transformation.
“He is svelte proper now. He appears like he is 20,” Reid mentioned, grinning. “He is doing a great job and he is in nice form. I am unsure he did not are available first on the entire conditioning factor. He was proper up entrance.”
THE BIGGEST WAY for Kelce to influence the Chiefs’ video games this season, he says, is by being the perfect chief he might be for his teammates. Kelce discovered why management was so essential throughout final season’s playoff run.
Within the Chiefs’ 23-14 win over the Houston Texans within the divisional spherical, Mahomes threw an ideal deep cross within the second quarter to receiver Hollywood Brown. However Brown could not make the catch. On the subsequent snap, Mahomes trusted Kelce, who produced a memorable spotlight.
The Texans blitzed and Mahomes discovered Kelce, who broke two tackles — which he hadn’t completed at any level within the common season, in accordance with TruMedia — for a 49-yard acquire. The Chiefs completed the drive with operating again Kareem Hunt’s 1-yard landing run.
Early within the fourth quarter, on a important third-and-goal play, Kelce acknowledged the Texans’ zone protection and improvised his route — deciding to run to a distinct space of the tip zone in the midst of the play — however was nonetheless accessible and in rhythm with Mahomes for an 11-yard landing catch.
MAHOMES TD TO KELCE AS HE FALLS DOWN
📺: #HOUvsKC on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/ytEUsoGyin— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2025
The following week, within the Chiefs’ 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Payments within the AFC Championship Recreation, Kelce, who completed with simply two catches for 19 yards on 4 targets, was most impactful when he did not have the ball in his arms. Early within the first quarter, Chiefs receiver Nikko Remigio selected to truthful catch a punt on the crew’s personal 10-yard line, though he had loads of room for a return.
“That is not being nice, bro,” Kelce instructed Remigio after the play.
Impressed by Kelce’s phrases, Remigio had his greatest second within the sport within the second quarter. He ignited the Chiefs with a powerful start-and-stop-and-start-again punt return that went 41 yards.
“That is the way you be nice, dawg!” Kelce shouted at Remigio after the play.
The Chiefs capitalized on Remigio’s return when Mahomes scored on a 1-yard landing. The Chiefs’ last landing got here on a designed run for Mahomes. On his 10-yard landing, Kelce was one in every of Mahomes’ lead blockers.
WHEELS STILL SPINNIN’‼️ pic.twitter.com/p9L7w06KQ3
— Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 27, 2025
However two weeks later, the Chiefs skilled distress, not historical past, within the blowout loss to the Eagles.
Days earlier than going through the Eagles, Kelce started experiencing an sickness, a element Veach revealed on the mix. Throughout the sport, he struggled in every of his assignments from the Chiefs’ sport plan. His route operating was slower than common, his blocking wasn’t as much as commonplace and he could not make the play or say the correct phrases to his teammates to assist spark the Chiefs to a comeback. The sport additionally marked the primary time in Kelce’s playoff profession during which he was held with no reception within the first half.
“I failed, particularly in that final sport, in being a pacesetter and being the one that may step up and make performs,” Kelce mentioned. “I am simply setting the bar even larger for myself this 12 months than I’ve prior to now.”
KELCE HAS CONTINUED to give attention to management this summer season, starting early at Chiefs coaching camp, which was situated on the campus of Missouri Western State College.
Reid, an old-school coach getting into his twenty seventh season, is understood for having some of the grueling camps within the NFL. The tempo at follow is quicker than that of a sport; projected starters get extra reps than regular, and gamers routinely go away the fields drenched in sweat and close to exhaustion. Kelce is aware of Reid’s camp can take a look at a participant’s real love for the game, particularly when one is within the twilight of his profession.
Though he’s getting into Yr 13, Kelce did not miss a single follow, constantly made athletic catches in the midst of the sector and remained on the sector to run extra routes for Mahomes even after showing fatigued the earlier rep.
“I adore it right here,” Kelce mentioned, who calls his time on the St. Joseph, Missouri, campus his soccer sanctuary. “It will get me away from every little thing else that is happening on this loopy world. You may actually simply focus in in your craft and focus in on being the perfect you possibly can for the fellows round you.”
Early in camp, Kelce hosted a number of teammates in the identical room Reid gave his first speech of the season to the crew, giving them small giveaways from the “Completely happy Gilmore 2” movie earlier than exhibiting them a screening of the film simply days earlier than it premiered on Netflix. Because the film performed, Kelce sat within the again, having fun with watching his efficiency and listening to his teammates snort.
The man on the Chiefs and The Waiter in Completely happy Gilmore 2.
Thanks for the early exhibiting! Watch now on @netflix 🍿 pic.twitter.com/UJpCtFUHV7
— Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (@Chiefs) July 28, 2025
The following day, through the Chiefs’ most demanding follow of camp — a stuffy, 90-degree day during which the warmth index peaked over 100 — rookie left deal with Josh Simmons punched rookie defensive finish Ashton Gillotte after a rugged rep in a 9-on-7 interval.
The primary teammate to assist separate the 2 rookies was Kelce.
“He does it in a approach like, ‘I have been there, and you do not wish to do this,'” Reid mentioned of Kelce. “The blokes belief him. That is form of the neat half concerning the job. You get to see guys mature like that. It is most likely no completely different than having children. The factor is, it is out in entrance of everyone due to the [immature] issues he’d do [as a younger player] on the sector and lose his mood. Folks noticed it. Now they see what he’s at present. There is a distinction.”
Because the Chiefs’ longest-tenured participant, Kelce has in essence develop into a further assistant coach. However Kelce desires to be extra productive himself. In spite of everything, he ranked final this previous season in yards per catch over expectation (YACOE) amongst cross catchers who ran no less than 100 routes (minus-42). Kelce ran 525 complete routes.
Kelce says he desires his presence — even when as an overqualified decoy — and abilities to assist develop the subsequent technology of cross catchers for a franchise that hasn’t seen a 1,000 receiving season exterior of Kelce since 2021 (Tyreek Hill).
This offseason, Mahomes has additional strengthened his connection together with his receiving choices not named Kelce — akin to Rice, Brown and fellow receivers Xavier Worthy and JuJu Smith-Schuster, in addition to tight ends Noah Grey and Robert Tonyan and operating again Isiah Pacheco.
We’re fortunate to have you ever, Travis 🫶 pic.twitter.com/NneZnWwm0p
— Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 6, 2025
All through practices, a number of teammates on offense and protection have requested for Kelce’s steerage on sure methods, coverages or the nuances of a selected play. Tonyan, a seven-year veteran who started his profession with the Inexperienced Bay Packers alongside quarterback Aaron Rodgers, spent camp studying as a lot as he might from Kelce’s pre-snap reads in opposition to the protection’s potential coverages. Via two preseason video games, Tonyan led the Chiefs with eight receptions for 90 yards and a landing.
“What higher solution to get higher than to make it possible for we lean on one another,” Kelce mentioned. “If I may give anyone a phrase that makes them higher on that particular route or doing that particular drill, man, I am right here for it.”
THE CHIEFS’ PENULTIMATE coaching camp session was a troublesome one. It was the crew’s last on-field work in full pads earlier than it returned to its coaching facility in Kansas Metropolis. Most gamers appeared able to return. The primary crew interval was horrible for the offense. The protection created stress to disrupt the offense’s timing, a number of gamers dropped passes and Mahomes voiced his frustration.
Then …
“Travis beats his man one-on-one and breaks out for a 20-yard acquire,” cross sport coordinator Joe Bleymaier mentioned. “He form of set the tone for everyone, that ‘Hey, you get man-to-man protection, we’re successful these routes! Let’s go!’
“When everyone was pushing by means of the canine days of camp, it was him who made the play one-on-one. That form of simply goes to that larger image to the place perhaps you do not acknowledge the years as a lot as a result of it is simply the identical previous Travis. That is what he is at all times been doing.”
Kansas Metropolis is hoping that Kelce’s playmaking and management carry over into the video games, starting subsequent week in opposition to the Chargers.
Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter might administer this season’s first stress take a look at for Kelce by assigning security Derwin James Jr. to him in man-to-man protection. Within the groups’ matchup final December, Kelce was not focused on 10 routes when James was the first defender.
Because the 12 months progresses, different opponents might strive the Chargers’ technique in opposition to Kelce, or what the Eagles did within the Tremendous Bowl — dedicating two zone defenders to him.
Kelce, although, is prepared for no matter comes, and is raring to showcase his psychological and bodily counterattacks — by means of smoother route operating, noticeable modifications in his athleticism and loads of interior inspiration to exit with distinctive performances — in what could possibly be his final probability to take action.
“It’ll be a grind,” he mentioned. “Hopefully it ends in February.”
