Kansas City Chiefs fans will see at least one more season from the superstar duo of quarterbackPatrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, who has already ended speculations about retiring from the NFL following a Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last February.
“I love football. I don’t think I really thought about it that much,” Kelce said after Wednesday’s Kansas City minicamp (h/tMichael Baca of NFL.com). “… I love coming in to work every single day. It wasn’t a very tough one for me. I know I’m getting older, but at the same time I still feel like I’ve got a lot I can prove in this league. With that being said, it really wasn’t that hard of a decision for me.”
About to turn 36 years old in October, Kelce’s best days as a player are very likely behind him now, but that doesn’t mean he can no longer be a significant contributor to the Mahomes-led attack that he has had a big role in developing such a terrifying reputation among defensive coordinators across the league.
Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) raises the Lamar Hunt Trophy with tight end Travis Kelce (87) after the AFC championship NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Chiefs advanced to the Super Bowl with a 23-20 win over the Bengals. (Via OlyDrop)
Patrick Mahomes did not have a discussion with Kelce about retirement rumors
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass as general manager Brett Veach watches.
Jul 26, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass as general manager Brett Veach watches in the background during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
For his part, Mahomes said that he did not let retirement as a subject of conversation in the offseason between him and Kelce.
“We never talked about [retirement],” Mahomes told reporters. “I think you have that in the back of your mind. For anyone that’s played a lot of football seasons, there’s always a chance if they’re gonna come back and put in [the work]. You have to put in the work. You have to put in the work in the offseason. I think everybody wants to play the games, but putting in the work in the offseasons where stuff gets strenuous. … For him, I think it was just recalibrating, seeing where he’s at. From what I’ve seen — I think y’all can see it — he’s ready to go. He’s been putting in the work this offseason, and he’s excited for another chance to make a run for it.”
Even though they lost to the Eagles and the chance to go three-peat in the Super Bowl era, Mahomes, Kelce and the Chiefs are still expected to be among the top contenders for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2025 after winning 15 games in the 2024 NFL regular season.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) hugs Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes
Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) hugs Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes after the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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