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Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at Arrowhead Stadium on November 29, 2024.

After the Kansas City Chiefs‘ blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, tight end Travis Kelce briefly contemplated retirement.

However, it didn’t take long for Kelce to make a decision. Just a few weeks after the Chiefs whiffed on winning a historic Super Bowl three-peat, ESPN analyst Pat McAfee announced he received a text message from the veteran confirming his decision to play in 2025.

“My dawg!!! Source(s) said I’M COMING BACK FOR SURE..,” he wrote, per McAfee. “Gonna try and get to the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountain top.. Gotta 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!!!!”

During the regular season, he registered a career-low 823 yards and three touchdowns on 97 receptions. During the Chiefs’ 40-22 defeat to the Eagles, Kelce recorded four receptions for 39 yards.

With a reputation for stepping up when Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Co. need him the most, Kelce felt disappointed in himself.

Chiefs Wide Receiver Rashee Rice was Seriously ‘Concerned’ Travis Kelce Would Not Return

GettyChiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice #4 and tight end travis Kelce at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2023.

While Kelce’s decision to return and play for the 2025 NFL season seemed quick, for Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice, those few weeks dragged on. “I was real concerned, I ain’t gonna lie,” Rice told reporter Chancellor Johnson on Saturday, June 14.

The prospect of never playing with Kelce again after spending most of the 2024 season on injured reserve nagged at him. “It’s Trav. But with me getting hurt last year was kind of a wake-up call. I really wanted him to come back. You know, you kind of realize the guys you got to play with once its all over… so I get to accept and enjoy his presence around the team.”

Kelce officially confirmed his return during the March 5 episode of his “New Heights” podcast. “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,” Kelce said of his Super Bowl performance.

GettyChiefs tight end Travis Kelce at Allegiant Stadium on October 27, 2024.

“The biggest thing is that I [expletive] love playing the game of football,” Travis answered. “I love playing… still think I can play at a high level and possibly at a higher level than I did last year.

“I feel like there’s a responsibility in me to play out the contract that I initially signed, to give Kansas City and the Chiefs organization everything that I got, and that’s what I’m gonna do, man.”

Rashee Rice Tried to Take ‘95%’ Credit for Travis Kelce’s Return

During an appearance on the “I Am Athlete” podcast three months ago, Rice hilariously tried to take nearly full credit for Kelce returning to play his 13th season in the league.

“I ain’t even gonna lie, I’m 95% the reason ain’t retiring,” Rice said. “I told him he can’t go out like that, make sure we get that next year. I’m pretty sure he was hanging it up, and I’m like, we can’t go out like that. We gotta go win that (Super Bowl), I’m going to make sure we win that, that’s what I told him.”

Emily Bicks covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Bills, Seahawks and Chiefs. She’s contributed to Heavy since 2019 and has interviewed some of the biggest stars in sports, including Jerry Rice, Shaquille O’Neal and Stefon Diggs. More about Emily Bicks