Breaking: ‘I’m the reason Travis Kelce isn’t retiring – this is what I said to convince him’. Rashee Rice is claiming responsibility for Travis Kelce’s decision to return to the Kansas City Chiefs next season, after the tight end took weeks to announce his 2025 plans

Travis Kelce will return to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2025 NFL season despite speculation over his retirement, and wide receiver Rashee Rice believes he is the reason that the tight end is prolonging his football career.

Kelce, 35, was distraught after losing Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles and made no assurances over his future following a quiet season. Kelce had just four catches for 39 yards in the Super Bowl, and posted his worst numbers for a decade during the regular season.

After weeks of silence, Pat McAfee confirmed that Kelce would return next season, though Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has already hinted that the tight end will retire next year. However, Rice believes that he’s “95 percent of the reason” why Kelce didn’t choose to end his playing career in February.

“I ain’t gonna lie to y’all, I’m 95 percent of the reason he ain’t retiring,” Rice told REVOLT Sports. “Told him he can’t go out like that. I’m gonna make sure we get that next year. “He was finna hang it up. I’m pretty sure he was gonna hang it up. And I’m like, ‘Bro, we can’t go out like that.’ I texted him. He basically was like, ‘bro, I really appreciate that.'”

After winning two straight championships in 2022 and 2023, the Chiefs entered last season with the intention of becoming the first team in the Super Bowl era to complete the three-peat. Their goal was completely shut down by the Eagles, who at one stage led by 34 points before the season finale ended 40-22.

Ultimately, Kelce decided to run it back for one final year, after texting McAfee and announcing his final decision. “I’m coming back for sure. Gonna try to get into the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop,” Kelce wrote in the text. “Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and with how I got the guys ready for battle. I can’t go out like that!!!!”

Rice may have said what Kelce needed to hear, but it’s often the Chiefs tight end who hands out advice. Rice is set to enter his third year in the NFL, and since joining the Chiefs in 2023, he’s leant on Kelce in an attempt to improve his game.