Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said at the NFL Combine that he expects Kelce to be back for the 2025 season. That prompted McAfee, the former Colts punter, to reach out via text to Kelce.

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With the NFL Combine ongoing, the chance for coaches, players and media alike to mingle is omni-present, and Pat McAfee took the opportunity on Thursday to share some breaking news on tight end Travis Kelce.

Travis Kelce will return to the Kansas City Chiefs for of the 2025-2026 NFL season, according to a text read on-air by ESPN's Pat McAfee. On the Thursday, February 26, episode of The Pat McAfee Show,

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce appears to be headed back to the NFL for a 13th season. New Heights, the podcast hosted by Kelce and his brother Jason, shared a video on Instagram Thursday with the caption, "From the desk of @killatrav: IT’S TIME FOR YEAR 13."

In the end, it was simple for Travis Kelce. Kelce revealed to Pat McAfee last week that he would be returning for another NFL season, his 13th with the Chiefs, and expanded on that decision Wednesday during the “New Heights” podcast he co-hosts with older brother Jason.

Travis Kelce said he feels he owes his Chiefs teammates another season after an underwhelming performance in Super Bowl LIX.

Travis Kelce has established himself as one of the best tight ends of all time, but he's not done playing just yet. Many believed retirement was on the horizon for the 35-year-old following the Kansas City Chiefs' 40-22 Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles,