Returning for what could be his final NFL season in 2025

SAM

After years of dominance, Travis Kelce is returning for what could be his final NFL season in 2025. Super Bowl 59 left him with a bitter taste that he can’t ignore. The Chiefs’ crushing 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles wasn’t just another defeat-it was a one-sided beatdown.

At one point, Kansas City trailed 40-6, making the final score seem far closer than the reality of the game.

Travis Kelce opens up about his decision to return for year 13 with the Chiefs

For Kelce, the loss wasn’t just disappointing-it felt unfinished. He wants to make things right, redeem himself, and give his teammates a stronger finish. He even suggested that he believes he can play at an even higher level in 2025.

Is Kelce gambling with his legacy?

While Kelce’s competitive drive is undeniable, not everyone believes returning is the best decision. NBC’s Mike Florio warns that Kelce may be setting himself up for an even worse exit from the game.

“You can’t engineer your exit. There’s a chance that next year’s exit is going to be worse, not better,” Florio said. “Not many guys get to say I went out with a Super Bowl game… There’s a good chance that Travis Kelce is gonna exit after this year with something far less than a Super Bowl loss.”

Florio pointed to Tom Brady as a cautionary tale. The seven-time Super Bowl champion had a chance to retire on top after leading the Buccaneers to a title in 2020.

Instead, he pushed on for two more seasons, only to end his career with a 31-14 Wild Card loss to the Cowboys-a far cry from the send-off he likely imagined.

“I hope he doesn’t come back thinking that, ‘Hey, we’ll just go back to the Super Bowl and win it next year.’ No one is guaranteed the storybook finish, because it rarely happens,” Florio added.