Travis Kelce Plots NFL Revenge Season, Says He Is 'Only Interested In Super Bowl Rings'
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After a crushing Super Bowl loss, Travis Kelce isn't ready to hang up his cleats just yet.
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end is returning for another NFL season, and according to him, the choice wasn't difficult.
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With eyes firmly set on redemption and another ring, Kelce opens up about failure, motivation, and the fire still burning inside him.
Why Travis Kelce Says Returning To The NFL Was An Easy Call
At 35, Kelce is still chasing greatness. When asked about his decision to return, the NFL star made it clear it wasn't something he had to dwell too much on.
'It wasn't a very tough [decision] for me,' he said per PEOPLE on June 18. 'I know I'm getting older, but at the same time I still feel like I got a lot that I can prove in this league.'
The Chiefs' bid for a three-peat ended in a 40-22 Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, a moment Kelce hasn't forgotten.
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'I really didn't feel like it was my last game,' he admitted. 'Just felt like I've got a lot more to prove.'
Travis Kelce Reflects On Super Bowl Failure And Redemption
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Kelce didn't sugarcoat how the loss impacted him personally.
'Last year I think I failed especially in that last game, in being a leader and being the one that can step up and make plays,' he said.
The defeat has only fueled his hunger. 'Last year wasn't a success for me, and I'm motivated to make sure we get that other ring this year," he declared.
Kelce emphasized that his only focus now is legacy. 'I'm only interested in Super Bowl rings,' he said, adding that his love for the game and his team also played a part in his decision.
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'I love football,' he said. 'I don't think I really thought about it that much. My friends and family and the team and the guys and women in this building—I love coming into work every single day.'
The Fire Still Burns In Kelce
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Though he didn't rush into the decision, Kelce let emotions settle before making the call.
'You want to let the emotions die down,' he said. 'That was the biggest thing — you don't want to make decisions off initial emotions.'
However, after that, one thing was clear.
He noted, 'I still felt like I had that fire in my chest to be able to keep coming in and building and be better and chase another Super Bowl.'
Taylor Swift's Clear Schedule Makes Room For More Game Days
Annie Wermiel/New York Post/MEGA
As Kelce prepares for a spectacular NFL season, he has an added incentive as his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, will make more appearances on his game days.
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For the first time since their relationship began in 2023, the pop diva is entering an NFL season without the chaos of a global tour.
A source told PEOPLE, 'Taylor is really looking forward to the upcoming NFL season. Not just because she loves supporting Travis, but because for the first full season since they started dating, she's not juggling a packed tour schedule.'
'This fall will be completely different,' the insider continued. 'It's the first season where she's not constantly flying back and forth or working around an entire touring calendar.'
After headlining the Eras Tour across five continents and grossing over $2 billion, Swift wrapped the historic run in December 2024. Now, with no tour dates on the horizon, she's planning to be a regular presence in the stands.
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'Her schedule is much more open now that the Eras Tour is wrapped and she's genuinely excited to have the time and flexibility to show up for Travis more consistently,' the source added.
Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Step Into A New Rhythm
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The past two years have required careful coordination between Swift's concerts and Kelce's NFL schedule.
'The past two seasons were a whirlwind between performing across multiple countries, long flights, and trying to squeeze in alone time together wherever possible. It wasn't easy but they made it work,' the insider revealed.
Swift often made headlines for attending Kelce's games when her schedule allowed, cheering beside his mom, Donna Kelce, and friends.
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But now, she's planning to be at 'as many of his games as possible,' said the source. 'They've both had such demanding schedules for so long, so having this stretch of time where things aren't quite as chaotic feels like a welcome change.'
With Kelce prepping for another run with the Kansas City Chiefs and Swift enjoying a touring hiatus, the couple is embracing stability.
'It's a chance for them to settle into more of a routine and they're both really happy about that,' the insider added.
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