Travis Kelce reveals he decided to return to NFL ‘midway through’ 2025 season

Any concerns about 11-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce continuing his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026 were seemingly unwarranted.

Shortly after news surfaced that Kelce would return to the only NFL team he’s ever played for, the 36-year-old tight end said he made the decision “about halfway through” last season.

“About the middle of the season,” Kelce said on the latest episode of “New Heights,” the podcast he co-hosts with his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.

Although questions surfaced after Kelce took a long time to reveal his decision, he made it clear that he didn’t want to make an emotional decision.

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce walks the sideline before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. (Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)

“I took Jason Kelce’s advice. I took the advice to take a step back,” Travis said. “You have to let emotions be clear and you have to have a clear mind. I’ve made decisions based on emotions, and they haven’t always gone the right way.

“So, I think stepping back, letting the emotions die down…I still felt like I was hungry enough to get back into it. Obviously, there’s still some of that courage and emotion. I f—— hated the way it ended last year, and I want to make it right.”

TRAVIS KELCE CREDITS TAYLOR SWIFT FOR HELPING MOTIVATING HIS RETURN TO THE CHEFS

Kelce said his decision to return was also motivated by another chance at NFL glory.

“And I want to have another chance to be in another f—— Super Bowl,” he said.

Travis Kelce of Kansas City during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 20, 2024, in Santa Clara, California. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

A 6-11 record in the 2025 season meant the Chiefs were on the outside looking in to make the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

With the Chiefs’ offseason starting earlier than usual, Patrick Mahomes’ ACL injury and uncertainty surrounding Kelce’s future are being closely watched in Kansas City.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates after a catch and run against the Chicago Bears during the first half of a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on August 22, 2025. (Denny Medley/Imagn Images)

Kelce finished last season with 851 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions.

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The Chiefs selected Kelce in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Kansas City made a splash in free agency this week, signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to bolster its running back room.

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