Kelce revealed to Pat McAfee last week that he would be returning for another NFL season, his 13th with the Chiefs, and expanded on that decision Wednesday during the “New Heights” podcast he co-hosts with older brother Jason.

“I think the biggest thing is that I f–king love playing the game of football,” Kelce said. “I still feel like I can play at a high level and possibly at a higher level than I did last year. I don’t think it was my best outing. 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. I want to give it a good run. I have a bad taste in my mouth in how I ended the year and how well I was playing and how accountable I was for the people around me. And I love so many people in Kansas City, both in that facility and in the community, and it’s home for me.

“I don’t want leave that life yet. I’ve put on a lot of hard work and a lot of focus into being the best that I can for KC. Last year, it didn’t end well for us and I feel like there is a responsibility in me to play out the contract I initially signed to give Kansas City and the Chiefs organization everything I’ve got and that’s what I’m gonna do, man.”

Kelce also noted that losing to the Eagles Super bowl 2025, and coming up short of a historic three-peat with the Chiefs, played a role in his decision to return.

The tight end initially hedged on his future after the Chiefs lost to Philadelphia, 40-22, last month.

He said Wednesday he was always likely to return even after hitting an “all-time low” following the defeat, in which he was a non-factor with four catches for 39 yards.

“It’s similar to all the decisions I make. It’s off of feel,” Kelce said. “I’m not a big measure the pros and cons, pure gut feeling. I f–king love this game and I love going into the building with the guys that are there.

“Coach (Andy) 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. I don’t want to stop learning from him, I don’t want to stop being a part of the reasons he has success. I want that guy to have the most success in the world because of who he’s been in my life.

“… There are so many people in that building that I love with all my heart man. I want to keep living out those dreams and going to work with them. I never once kind of second-guessed it. Even when it got tough last year on the body or after the Super Bowl and you’re at your all-time low, there is something in a motivating factor that you want to do this. I pulled the trigger as soon as I knew I had that feeling.”

The future Hall of Famer has played 12 seasons in the NFL and will go down as one of the great pass-catching tight ends in the history of the sport.

Kelce, 35, has also become one of the biggest celebrity names in the sports thanks to his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.

Kelce and Swift, also 35, began dating in the summer of 2023 – and it has since become clear Kelce is plotting an entertainment career of some sorts after he retires.

That, however, will not be for at least another season. Kelce’s contract expires after the 2025 campaign.

Kelce is a 10-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champ who has 1,004 career receptions for 12,151 yards and 77 touchdowns.