Kelce says he will play for Chiefs in 2025 season
Three-time Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce says he will continue playing for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2025 season.The 35-year-old tight end has one year left on his contract but said he was considering retirement after the Chiefs lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl last month.Kelce, who is dating pop superstar Taylor Swift, was restricted to four catches for 39 yards on his fifth Super Bowl appearance."I still feel like I can play at a high level and possibly at a higher level than I did last year," Kelce told the New Heights, external podcast he co-hosts with brother and former Eagles centre Jason.
"I don't think it was my best outing. I let my guys down in a lot more moments than I helped them."I have a bad taste in my mouth in how I ended the year and how well I was playing and how accountable I was for the people around me. I don't want to leave that life yet."I feel like there is a responsibility in me to play out the contract I initially signed to give Kansas City and the Chiefs organisation everything I've got, and that's what I'm going to do."Kelce has helped the Chiefs reach five of the past six Super Bowls, establishing himself as one of the NFL's best tight ends in history.Speaking at the NFL's Scouting Combine, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said Kelce "was battling with a pretty big illness" before the Super Bowl.The Chiefs drafted Kelce with the 63rd overall pick in 2013.From 2016 to 2022 he recorded more than 1,000 receiving yards and was an All-Pro selection in each of those seasons.Kelce formed a productive partnership with Patrick Mahomes, who became the Chiefs' starting quarterback in 2018, as they won the Super Bowl in 2020, 2023 and 2024.The Eagles denied them an unprecedented 'three-peat' after a regular season in which Kelce made 97 receptions for 823 yards, his lowest yardage total since 2014.The 2025 season is scheduled to start on 4 September.
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NBC News
43 minutes ago
- NBC News
The U.S. men's national team has a major opportunity hosting the next World Cup. Is it ready?
Tony Meola knows the pressure of competing in front of his home fans. Back in 1994, when the United States hosted the FIFA World Cup, Meola, the national team's starting goalkeeper, and his teammates had not one but two jobs: beat the competition and help grow the game. 'It was relentless,' he told NBC News. 'Twenty-four hours a day for a year leading into the World Cup. Promotion of the game, events. We never stopped.' His team did its part off the field — the event shattered attendance records even though soccer wasn't the most popular sport at the time — and it made it out of the group stage before it lost 1-0 to eventual champion Brazil. Though it wasn't the result it wanted, that squad is credited for helping generate major interest and participation in the sport stateside. Meola had dreams of one day seeing the U.S. men's national team become perennial contenders. But more than 30 years later, with the country (along with Canada and Mexico) hosting the 2026 World Cup next June, he says there's still as much up in the air as there was two decades ago. 'I don't feel like we're ready right now,' Meola, now an analyst for CBS Sports Golazo Network, said of the current U.S. team. 'I want to see progression over the next year and go into [the World Cup] with as few question marks as possible, not going in there sort of fearing what's going to happen.' Meola is far from the only former USMNT player to share some skepticism one year out. His co-hosts on the soccer podcast 'Call It What You Want,' Charlie Davies and Jimmy Conrad, also expressed concern. So did Fox Sports, MLS and Apple commentator Maurice Edu. Taylor Twellman, the lead soccer analyst for Apple TV, put it more bluntly. When he was asked how the United States stacks up right now with the top countries in the world, he told NBC News: 'They're not in the conversation with any of them. ... They don't see themselves as a contender.' When North America was awarded the rights to the 2026 World Cup in June 2018, Carlos Cordeiro, then the president of U.S. Soccer, called it a 'rare and important moment to demonstrate that we are all truly united through sport.' It also guaranteed more eyeballs on the host countries. According to FIFA, the average global live audience for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was 175 million viewers. The final between Argentina and France drew 1.5 billion viewers, dramatically more than the most recent Super Bowl (127.7 million). And with the 2026 World Cup final taking place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, this was the perfect time to showcase just how far the U.S. men's team has come. Especially with the 'Golden Generation' of players entering their prime. That term — attached to rising stars like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest, Gio Reyna, Timothy Weah, Antonee Robinson, Matt Turner and Tyler Adams — recognizes what was expected to be the best core in program history. They showed glimpses of brilliance during the 2022 World Cup, a run that ended in the Round of 16, but they were all young. Now, four years older, with experience both internationally and for European clubs, they are expected to help lead a deep World Cup run. But some remain hesitant to say this group can pull it off. To this point, it lacks a true signature win and has come up short in recent competitions. In last summer's Copa América, which the United States hosted, the USMNT failed to get out of the group stage after losses to Uruguay and Panama. The result raised questions about whether this roster was talented enough to get over the hump. 'You can't be a 'Golden Generation' until you do something that hasn't been done before,' Davies told NBC News. Edu said: 'I felt like the 'Golden Generation' tag was coined based on the potential. And now some of these guys are coming into their prime, so that potential has to be realized. Everything, to me, now revolves around what happens next summer.' To help them reach their potential, the program moved on from longtime coach Gregg Berhalter and replaced him with Mauricio Pochettino. His hiring was seen as a huge deal, as Pochettino, who is Argentine, has managed on some of the biggest stages of world soccer: Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. So far, the results have been mixed. He has five wins and four losses in nine games, but the team disappointed in March with two losses in the CONCACAF Nations League Finals. The team has also dropped four games in a row — including a 4-0 loss to Switzerland on Tuesday — though the lineups were far from full strength, with certain stars, like Pulisic, not playing. U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said Pochettino's 'reputation stands for itself.' It's far too early in the process to critique the job he's done. 'We have a great generation of young players that we want to turn potential into performance, and we couldn't have had and asked for a better coach to come in and have the ability to do that,' Crocker said. 'Now, he just needs to have the time with the players and the games and the experiences to hopefully be ready for next summer, which is our objective.' One year away from the biggest tournament in sports, the USMNT's on-field product is still far from sorted. The most important position to be decided may be goalkeeper. Turner, who started in the 2022 World Cup, is once again expected to have that role. But after a year when he played sparingly as a backup for Crystal Palace, some wonder whether his lack of playing time will have him fit for next summer. Reports this week say Turner has agreed to join the French squad Lyon. Nobody knows goalie play better than Meola, who said, 'There are a lot of questions.' 'In general, we've gone into World Cups either knowing who our No. 1 is or two or three guys battling for the position. That's been the rotation since 1990. This particular group, I think we're unsettled in that position,' he said. If Turner gets consistent action at Lyon, he should be that guy again in 2026. Patrick Schulte, Zack Steffen and Matt Freese are the likeliest next options. Meola's other position group to watch is center back. Out wide, Robinson and Dest are near locks, but the middle of the field is still anyone's guess. Candidates include Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson or Cameron Carter-Vickers. 'There's just too many question marks in the middle of the field at the moment,' Meola said. 'If I'm going to focus on one, that would be it.' Edu and Davies said they want to see how the next 12 months play out at center forward. The USMNT won a hard-fought battle with England to get Monaco's Folarin Balogun (who has dual citizenship), but after him there are many names to consider in Ricardo Pepi, Patrick Agyemang, Haji Wright, Damion Downs and Josh Sargent. 'Even if there's question marks in other positions, if we feel good about the No. 9 position, I think that gives us a hell of a chance,' Edu said. Conrad is similarly focused on the middle of the field, this time at center midfield. Pochettino could go with McKennie, Yunus Musah, Johnny Cardoso, Tanner Tessman, Diego Luna or Malik Tillman. He had one prediction that might shock fans. 'Gio Reyna ... I'll throw him in there, but at this moment I don't expect him to make the team. That's my big shock,' Conrad said. 'I'll put my flag in the ground and say he's got a lot of work to do to get into this team for 2026, which would probably be a surprise to many, but I just think there's other players that are playing well and could fit the system a little bit better at this current moment.' Even though questions abound in the middle, Conrad said he feels great outside. 'I would put our outside backs internationally against anybody,' he said. 'Our strength, in terms of our starters, is Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest and then into Christian Pulisic and Timothy Weah. I feel confident going up against any nation with our outside players.' This summer, the USMNT has CONCACAF Gold Cup matches followed by friendlies in September, October and November. Players will then compete for their clubs, either in Major League Soccer or abroad, and then return for more friendlies before the World Cup. The final roster, capped at 26 players, will be set 10 days before the tournament. Nobody is more important in that decision than Crocker, the technical director. Previously with English club Southampton and the England national team, he's focused on getting the best product possible on the field by next June. He said questions around particular positions don't really matter because nobody is truly locked in at this point. 'I don't think that exists 12 months out from a World Cup,' he said. 'You're trying to build depth in the squad but also continue to monitor players' performances. We need to know who the best three players are at every position. In the build-up to a major tournament, there will always be a player that hits form; there might be a player that gets an injury. So you've got to be ready.' Twellman, a forward on the national team from 2002 to 2008, said his concerns aren't based solely on the talent level in specific position groups. It comes down to results, and the team simply hasn't gotten enough of them for him to be confident heading into a World Cup. 'There's just a sense of apathy around the United States men's program,' he said. 'And I don't think that's a hot take.' Crocker said he has heard some of the negative discourse around the program but 'can't control the outside noise.' 'Our job, both as staff and as players, is to almost sort of look within ourselves, to continue to work as hard as we possibly can, continue to try and improve in training every day to put the performances in that we need to every day,' he said. 'We would love everybody to be great supporters and start to talk positively about the team, but we'd also know that we have a responsibility through our performances to control that narrative, as well.'
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Aaron Rodgers drops shock marriage bombshell on first training day with Pittsburgh Steelers
has confirmed that he is married following weeks of speculation. The quarterback made the revelation on the first day of practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The NFL veteran confirmed that he has a new wife as well as a new team, revealing to members of the media that he tied the knot 'a couple of months' ago. When questioned about the glaring band circling his finger, Rodgers admitted, 'Yes, it's a wedding ring.' The four-time MVP's bombshell announcement comes after weeks of conjecture that he had discreetly exchanged his vows with his mystery girlfriend, 'Brittani.' Rodgers, who was previously engaged to actress Shailene Woodley, first sparked rumors last month when he was spotted at the Kentucky Derby with a band on his ring finger. The accessory, spotted by eagle-eyed fans, led many to theorize that, while deliberating his NFL future, Rodgers had tied the knot. True to form, Rodgers kept his nuptials under wraps until addressing reports at training camp Tuesday. Even close friend AJ Hawk told Pat McAfee that the signal caller hadn't let slip whether he had gotten hitched during their trip to Churchill Downs in May. The identity of Rodgers's new wife remains a mystery. However, he did reveal back in December that he had found love. He told McAfee and the rest of the crew that he had a new girlfriend named Brittani, though he did not go into any further details on who she is or how they met. Rodgers was discussing buying Christmas presents for loved ones when he casually dropped in that he was dating again. 'I was a little bit worried because there was one package left for my girlfriend Brittani that hadn't showed up yet, so I'd been waiting,' he said on ESPN's daily sports talk show. 'It showed up today so everything is great now.' After laughing off a joke from a member of the crew that he was dating Britney Spears, Rodgers confirmed that his girlfriend's name is the version spelt with an 'i'. He revealed that his new love interest is not on any social-media channels after joking that she probably doesn't watch McAfee's show despite being a fan of the ESPN host. Rodgers had been agonizing over his NFL future for months after being released by the New York Jets in March, with the option of retirement not entirely off the table. But now, the quarterback is officially set to play his 21st season in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers after passing his physical and signing a one-year deal with the franchise at the weekend. He made it official after arriving at the Steelers facilities to sign his contract, which is worth $13.65million, including $10million guaranteed, according to sports journalist Adam Schefter. The deal is said to have a maximum value of $19.5m, including $5.85m worth of playtime and team performance incentives.
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers are desperate to win big again
And the same can be said for Mike Tomlin. Yep, Rodgers and Tomlin are joined at the hip for this mission to roll back the clock and pursue championship glory - and are also two desperate reasons why this has a chance. Hey, they both need each other like to try. Go ahead, fire away. It's fair game. Rodgers is 41 and hasn't won a playoff game since the 2020 campaign, way back in his Green Bay Packers life. Tomlin has never had a losing season in 18 years but hasn't sniffed a playoff victory since 2016. As they stand now, doubted and embattled, embattled and doubted, the setbacks both endured in recent years have provided quite the common denominator to fuel a bond. Having once sat atop the NFL mountaintop, it has undoubtedly eaten at Rodgers and Tomlin that over so many years they have been unable reach that height again. Rodgers won a Super Bowl before he earned any of his four NFL MVP awards and that's been that. Tomlin took the Steelers to two Super Bowls in his first four seasons, winning the crown in his second year, and that's been that. It's been a minute since the 2010 season when, ironically, Rodgers led the Pack over the Steelers in Super Bowl 45. Back then, who knew (besides Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes) that it would be the last time we'd see either of these alpha males on a Super Bowl stage. So, look at them now. Together they can dream of chasing confetti again. Of course, it's a huge dream that will take much more than determined synergy from the two most crucial pieces for any NFL team - the quarterback and head coach. And that's even before considering a treacherous AFC field that includes Mahomes and Andy Reid, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. And then some. Yet at least Rodgers and Tomlin have a boost of hope in each other. And a connection that has been built over years with mutual respect. The connection, too, has been strengthened in recent months as Rodgers contemplated his future and the outside noise swirled. They talked at least once a week. Winners and losers of Aaron Rodgers' deal with Steelers? Oh so many questions Rodgers, after two disastrous seasons with the New York Jets, doesn't sign up for the one-year hitch with the Steelers unless he felt it was possible they could position themselves as a contender, of which he can have much influence. If Brady, then 43, can win a Super Bowl in his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020), then maybe... The Steelers have significant pieces in place, including new big-play wideout DK Metcalf, star edge rusher T.J. Watt (pending contract) and all-pro D-tackle Cam Heyward. Tomlin's presence, which includes tapping into the locker room pulse on a Bill Parcells level, may have been the clincher for Rodgers wanting to come aboard. Tomlin, who struck out with Russell Wilson (and Justin Fields) last season, sees Rodgers as the fiery competitor eager to win now - at least for now as the one-year commitment indicates. Add a below-market contract that would still pay less than $20 million if all incentives are met and GM Omar Khan gets a bit more salary cap flexibility to stay aggressive with a talent hunt that could, well, strengthen the cast around Rodgers. Sure, Rodgers will drill down with O-coordinator Arthur Smith to craft a system that increases chances to succeed. No negative there. In fact, it may do wonders for Smith's rep, too, given the struggles with Pittsburgh's offense in 2024. Rodgers has long been regarded as having one of the NFL's sharpest minds, having deciphered virtually every blitz and coverage imaginable over two decades. That expertise matters. Never mind the narrative that they've lost too many offseason practice reps. Remember, Brett Favre came out of retirement in 2009 and joined the Minnesota Vikings on August led them to the NFC title game. Here's to patience. For much of the offseason, as the NFL universe waited on Rodgers to commit to a 21st season, Tomlin showed no hint of frustration that a deal wasn't struck months ago. The noise from critics was persistent, with suggestions that Rodgers was stringing the Steelers along balanced by suggestions that Pittsburgh should have dropped its pursuit. Pressed by reporters this spring about needing a hard deadline for a decision by Rodgers, Tomlin on multiple occasions said something about training camp. It sounded witty, like a good one-liner that left 'em laughing. 'I wish he'd have retired already': Some Steelers fans hate Aaron Rodgers signing Turns out, this week's three-day minicamp represents the last organized activity until Steelers players report for training camp in Latrobe, Penn. on July 23. Tomlin's training camp reference wasn't far off. Yet it's deeper than that. Although Rodgers reportedly had interest in the Vikings, Tomlin knew, too, that he needed time. In addition to weighing retirement, Rodgers has dealt with personal matters that included illnesses of people in his inner circle. Football aside, Tomlin understood. While Tomlin, like many coaches, can be brash, direct and boisterous - and loaded with catchy slogans - that persona may eclipse his gift for connecting with his players as people. And that will include the eccentric Rodgers. That's essential to the rich culture that Tomlin has developed. Of course, there's a Tomlin mantra that sums it up: "We want volunteers, not hostages." The Steelers have had their share of malcontents, yet personnel decisions over the years (as in move on) illustrate how serious they are in protecting a no-nonsense environment. After two years with the Jets, Rodgers is one high-profile volunteer. You can't blame him if he feels relieved. He was cut from the franchise that owns the NFL's longest playoff drought at 14 seasons, the futility wrapped with instability. They're on their eighth coach in 25 years. Tomlin, meanwhile, is Pittsburgh's third coach in 56 years. Yet all that stability comes with a different type of pressure, which Rodgers eagerly accepts in joining forces. Finally. Follow Jarrett Bell on social media: @JarrettBell
