The Kansas City Chiefs were extremely active leading up to the new league year, which begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET when teams can officially sign the free agents they have agreed to terms with.
Yet the biggest news to come out of Kansas City was veteran tight end Travis Kelce announcing that he is return for a 14th NFL season after contemplating retirement.
According to Kelce on the latest episode of the "New Heights" podcast Wednesday, he actually made up his mind to return midway through this past season.
"About midway through the season," Kelce said. "You know, I was taking Jason Kelce's advice. I was taking the advice to take a step back, because you've got to let the emotions clear and you've got to have a clear head.
"So taking a step back and letting the emotions settle down - the frustrations from the season - of course I want to come back. Of course I don't want to end my career not making the playoffs and not having one of my best years. I want to make it right, and we get a chance at another [expletive] Super Bowl, man."
The Chiefs appeared to be aware of his progress every step of the way, and while he technically would have been an unrestricted free agent this offseason, it did not take long for him to sign a new deal with Kansas City despite the expectation that other teams around the league would offer significant money.
Also on Wednesday, the Chiefs officially announced Kelce's return on social media with a video and a four-word message.
"Like he never left," the Chiefs posted.
Check it out:
Kelce's production - now at 36 - certainly dropped off compared to what he was doing two, three, and four years ago. But he was still one of the best players at the position in 2025.
He finished the season with 76 receptions for 851 yards, which ranked among the top five in the NFL for tight ends, along with five touchdowns.
You also can't underestimate his leadership, experience, and track record of rising to the occasion in the biggest moments - especially in the postseason - which makes his return a major deal for the Chiefs as they look to rebound after missing the postseason for the first time in a decade.
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