Travis Kelce Shares ‘Biggest Factor’ in Decision to Return to NFL, Says 2025 Super Bowl Defeat Was 'All-Time Low'

Mar. 15, 2025

Travis Kelce the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs plays against the Las Vegas Raiders.Photo:Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty

Travis Kelceisn’t hanging up his jersey just yet.The Kansas City Chiefs' tight end has signed on for another season with the NFL team, choosing not to retire after the team’sSuper Bowl 2025loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.On the Wednesday, Mar. 5, episode of Travis and his brotherJason Kelce’s podcastNew Heights, Travis addressed his decision to stay on the field.Jason, 37, whoretired from the Eagles in 2024, asked Travis how much the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss last month factored into his decision.“It was probably the biggest factor,” Travis, 35, admitted, calling the defeat an “all-time low.“Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball against the Houston Texans.David Eulitt/GettyJason then asked Travis whether he would have retired had the team won, scoring their history-making three-peat win.“I mean, it’s a pretty cool way to go out, but I think I would still have this love for the game,” Travis shared.Though Travis has taken on several projects in his off-season, including acting inRyan Murphy’sGrotesquerieand inHappy Gilmore 2andhostingAre You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, he says it’s his love of the game that’s brought him back for another season.“The biggest thing is that I f—– love playing the game of football. I love playing,” he shared. “I still think I can play it at a high level, and possibly at a higher level than I did last year.”Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles.Kara Durrette/GettyGetting critical about his 2024-2025 season performance, Travis added, “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 got a bad taste in my mouth for how I ended the year and how well I was playing and how accountable I was for the people around me,” he continued.And when it came to making the decision,Taylor Swift’s boyfriend says he didn’t overanalyze.“It’s just off a feel. I’m not a big measure the pros and cons [guy],” he explained. “Pure gut feeling… I pulled the trigger as soon as I knew that feeling.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Travis broke the news that he was returning for another season througha text onThe Pat McAfee Showon Feb. 27. He told McAfee in the message that he was “coming back for sure” and added, “Gonna try and get to the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop.”

Travis Kelceisn’t hanging up his jersey just yet.

The Kansas City Chiefs' tight end has signed on for another season with the NFL team, choosing not to retire after the team’sSuper Bowl 2025loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.

On the Wednesday, Mar. 5, episode of Travis and his brotherJason Kelce’s podcastNew Heights, Travis addressed his decision to stay on the field.

Jason, 37, whoretired from the Eagles in 2024, asked Travis how much the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss last month factored into his decision.

“It was probably the biggest factor,” Travis, 35, admitted, calling the defeat an “all-time low.”

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball against the Houston Texans.David Eulitt/Getty

David Eulitt/Getty

Jason then asked Travis whether he would have retired had the team won, scoring their history-making three-peat win.

“I mean, it’s a pretty cool way to go out, but I think I would still have this love for the game,” Travis shared.

Though Travis has taken on several projects in his off-season, including acting inRyan Murphy’sGrotesquerieand inHappy Gilmore 2andhostingAre You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, he says it’s his love of the game that’s brought him back for another season.

“The biggest thing is that I f—– love playing the game of football. I love playing,” he shared. “I still think I can play it at a high level, and possibly at a higher level than I did last year.”

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles.Kara Durrette/Getty

Kara Durrette/Getty

Getting critical about his 2024-2025 season performance, Travis added, “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 got a bad taste in my mouth for how I ended the year and how well I was playing and how accountable I was for the people around me,” he continued.

And when it came to making the decision,Taylor Swift’s boyfriend says he didn’t overanalyze.

“It’s just off a feel. I’m not a big measure the pros and cons [guy],” he explained. “Pure gut feeling… I pulled the trigger as soon as I knew that feeling.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Travis broke the news that he was returning for another season througha text onThe Pat McAfee Showon Feb. 27. He told McAfee in the message that he was “coming back for sure” and added, “Gonna try and get to the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop.”

source: people.com