According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, whether Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce returns for the 2025 NFL season may depend on the outcome of Super Bowl LIX. Rapoport reported that Kelce 'still hasn't made up his mind' regarding the possibility of playing a 13th season in the NFL. Sources knowledgeable about his situation suggested that Kelce's decision could be influenced by the result of the upcoming game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Chiefs and Eagles are scheduled to kick off in New Orleans on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET. This matchup may serve as a pivotal point in Kelce's career, as it could potentially be his final game if he decides to retire. Having served as quarterback Patrick Mahomes' primary target during the team's last two Super Bowl victories—registering 81 yards and a touchdown against the Eagles and adding 93 yards against the San Francisco 49ers—Kelce may find his role reduced in this championship game. This is largely attributed to the emergence of rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who has taken a significant portion of targets from Mahomes throughout the playoffs.

With Worthy's arrival in the NFL, Kelce finished the regular season with 823 receiving yards, marking the lowest total he has achieved in a complete professional campaign. Last summer, it was reported that Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce signed a lucrative three-year deal exceeding $100 million for their podcast, New Heights, which may also affect his considerations regarding retirement. Despite recently addressing speculation that the 2024 season could be his last, Kelce expressed optimism about his playing future, indicating that he still feels capable of competing at a high level. He noted that he's been preparing for career opportunities beyond football, yet emphasized his intention to continue playing for the Chiefs as he navigates this critical decision.