“It wasn’t a very tough [decision] for me,\u201d Kelce, 35, said on Wednesday, June 18. \u201cI know I’m getting older, but at the same time I still feel like I got a lot that I can prove in this league. It really wasn’t that hard of a decision for me.”<\/p>\n
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Kelce, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and other Chiefs players spoke with the media<\/a> after the team\u2019s practice on Wednesday as Kansas City gears up for another run at the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n The Chiefs were nearly blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles in February, falling short of winning a third-consecutive title.<\/p>\n The 40-22 loss left a bad taste in Kelce\u2019s mouth, and he explained to reporters this week that he feels he has \u201ca lot left to prove\u201d before he retires.<\/p>\n “I really didn’t feel like it was my last game,\u201d Kelce said. \u201cJust felt like I’ve got a lot more to prove.\u201d<\/p>\n “I’m only interested in Super Bowl rings,” he said, adding that his desire to win another championship ultimately helped him decide to return for another season.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n “I love football,” Kelce said. “I don’t think I really thought about it that much. My friends and family and the team and the guys and women in this building, I love coming into work every single day.”<\/p>\n Tammy Ljungblad\/The Kansas City Star\/Tribune News Service via Getty<\/p>\n Travis Kelce<\/p>\n While Kelce didn\u2019t think about it \u201cthat much,\u201d he said that he did allow himself time to make the call.<\/p>\n “You want to let the emotions die down [after the end of the season],” he said. “That was the biggest thing \u2014 you don’t want to make decisions off initial emotions. But for the most part, once they died down, I still felt like I had that fire in my chest to be able to keep coming in and building and be better and chase another Super Bowl.”<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Kelce said he felt like he \u201cfailed\u201d after the Chiefs lost the Super Bowl in February.<\/p>\n \u201cLast year I think I failed especially in that last game, in being a leader and being the one that can step up and make plays,\u201d he said. \u201cSo just setting the bar even higher for myself this year than I have in the past. Last year wasn’t a success for me, and I’m motivated to make sure we get that other ring this year.”<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for\u00a0PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a>\u00a0to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/p>\n Gregory Shamus\/Getty<\/p>\n Travis Kelce<\/p>\n Before he and his Chiefs teammates returned to Kansas City to begin training for next season, Kelce appeared to enjoy his time off from the NFL.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n He continued to host his New Heights podcast with brother Jason Kelce<\/a> and traveled the world with girlfriend Taylor Swift<\/a>, making several appearances together<\/a> in recent weeks, including at the Stanley Cup Final last Thursday.<\/p>\n A source recently told PEOPLE<\/a> that Swift, also 35, is equally as excited about Kelce\u2019s decision to play another NFL season.<\/p>\n![\"Tammy](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/08ceda346d17b341aa3ec2c5143fc06c.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Gregory](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/a35675bde455997f6ce31ea52230beb3.jpeg\"\/)
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