Travis Kelce has confirmed he will return to the NFL for another season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The 35-year-old tight end revealed his decision via text message to Pat McAfee, which was read out on McAfee's ESPN show on Thursday.
Speculation had been mounting for months about whether Kelce would retire following the Chiefs' disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX earlier this month.
The star player has spent 12 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Travis Kelce is set to return to action for the Chiefs
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"My dog!!! I'm coming back for sure," Kelce's text to McAfee read.
"Gonna try and get to the best shape I've been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop," he continued.
The Chiefs star expressed frustration with his performance in their Super Bowl defeat.
"Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and how I got the guys ready for battle. I can't go out like that!!!!" Kelce added.
The Eagles beat the Chiefs 40-22 in New Orleans on 9 February.
Kelce's decision comes ahead of a crucial deadline for the Chiefs.
According to The Athletic, the team needed his decision by 14 March.
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His contract with the Chiefs runs through the 2025 season.
It includes an £11.5 million roster bonus due on 15 March if he remains with the team.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach had expressed confidence in Kelce's return.
"We anticipate Travis being back. We're excited to have Travis back," Veach explained on Wednesday's episode of the NFL's The Insiders podcast.
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Travis Kelce had a disappointing performance in the Super Bowl
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Veach also revealed that Kelce had been unwell before the Super Bowl.
"We're never going to make excuses and talk about it, but he was battling with a pretty big illness there before the Super Bowl," Veach said.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had previously expressed uncertainty about Kelce's future.
After the Super Bowl loss, Mahomes said he was "not sure" if Kelce would return for another season.
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Jason Kelce revealed his insight on his brother's decision by insisting he had already made up his mind
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"He's given so much to this team and to the NFL," Mahomes said. "And he's been such a joy, not only for me to work with, but for people to watch."
Jason Kelce, who retired in March 2024, recently suggested his brother had likely already made his decision.
"I think Travis, I think he probably, in his heart, already knows what he wants to do," Jason said.
