This week, Travis Kelce from the Kansas City Chiefs made his first remarks regarding his decision to return for a 13th NFL season, after rumors about his retirement circulated following Super Bowl LIX. Kelce ultimately decided against retiring and announced his return after the Chiefs’ defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Kelce shared that the decision to retire or continue playing was not a tough one, expressing he did not feel like he had played his last game. He remarked:

“It wasn’t a very tough [decision] for me. I know I’m getting older, but at the same time, I still feel I have a lot to prove in this league. It really wasn’t that hard of a decision for me.”

Kelce also noted that his last season saw him experiencing a dip in performance, but he continues to lead the Chiefs in receiving yards, emphasizing his importance as a player who can make crucial plays for Mahomes.

As for Mahomes, he stated:

“We never talked about it. I think for anyone that has played a lot of football, there is always a chance that the end could come at any time.”

This season is likely Kelce’s final chance to secure a fourth Super Bowl ring, providing the perfect finale to his storied career.