Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was not at full strength heading into the 2025 Super Bowl, as he was dealing with a “pretty big illness” in the days leading up to the game, according to Chiefs general manager Brett Veach.
Veach revealed Kelce’s health struggles during an appearance on NFL: The Insiders podcast on Tuesday, shedding light on an obstacle that had previously gone unmentioned.
“We’re never gonna make excuses and talk about it, but, I mean, yeah, he was battling with a pretty big illness there before the Super Bowl,” Veach shared.
Despite acknowledging Kelce’s condition, Veach was quick to emphasize that the Philadelphia Eagles’ dominant performance was the real deciding factor in the Chiefs’ loss.
“The way the Eagles played, it wouldn’t have made a difference,” Veach clarified.
Veach did not specify the nature of Kelce’s illness, leaving many to wonder just how much it may have affected his performance on the field.
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Uncertainty Surrounding Kelce’s Future
Beyond his health concerns during the Super Bowl, Kelce’s future with the Chiefs remains a topic of speculation. The 35-year-old has yet to formally announce whether he will return for the 2025 NFL season, leaving fans and analysts eagerly awaiting his decision.
When asked directly if Kelce was “definitely playing in 2025,” Veach responded, “I think so.”
“There’s been a lot of the timeline and deadlines, and that’s something as an organization we haven’t discussed,” Veach explained. “We anticipate Travis being back.”
Veach made it clear that both the team and Kelce himself seem to be operating under the assumption that he will return.
“I think that Travis is excited to come back, and he finds a way to stay in shape and produce at a level only he can,” Veach continued. “He makes us better when he’s in our locker room and on the field, and again, we’re excited to get him back.”
Speaking to The New York Post later on Tuesday, Veach noted that Kelce left the Super Bowl “fired up” and ready to continue playing.
“He has one more year under contract,” Veach said. “I still think he has that fire and desire to play.”
Kelce Weighing His Options
Kelce has until March 14 to finalize his decision, but he has admitted that he has been taking his time with the process.
On his New Heights podcast following the Chiefs’ February 9 Super Bowl loss, Kelce admitted that he was “kicking everything down the road” as he evaluated his next move.
“Right now, the biggest thing is just being there for my teammates and being there for my coaches, understanding that there’s a lot that goes into this thing,” he said.
Kelce also emphasized that if he does return, it will be with full commitment.
“I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back, then it’s going to be something that is a wholehearted decision; I’m not half-assing it. I’m fully here for them,” he explained. “I think I can play—whether or not I’m motivated and it’s the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility.”
With free agency and offseason preparations ramping up, all eyes remain on Kelce as he deliberates his future. Whether he decides to return for another run or take a step back, his impact on the Chiefs and the NFL is undeniable.
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