CHIEFS NEWS: Travis Kelce Criticizes Himself, Chiefs’ Past Season in Blunt Statement

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tavis Kelce has not done much losing over the last half decade-plus, which has significantly impacted his standards for both himself and his team, as well as his outlook on what both entities accomplish (or don’t).

Travis Kelce Criticizes Himself, Chiefs' Past Season in Blunt Statement - Athlon Sports

Kelce is a three-time Super Bowl champion. He has played in five Super Bowls with the Chiefs over the past six seasons and has earned at least a berth in the AFC Championship game with Kansas City in each of the previous seven campaigns.

When Kelce retires, he will do so as arguably the greatest tight end in NFL history. Over the course of his 12-year career to this point, Kelce has earned Pro-Bowl honors 10 times and All-Pro honors (either First-Team or Second-Team) on seven occasions.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift 

Musician Taylor Swift (left) and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (right). Mark J. Rebilas, Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

If Kelce never caught another pass, he would retire with 1,004 receptions, 12,151 receiving yards and 77 touchdowns then breeze into the Hall of Fame as part of the first ballot on which he is eligible. 

Kelce will have also earned north of $111 million during his NFL career following the 2025 campaign, which doesn’t include his substantial off-field earnings as a podcaster and product pitchman. He is currently in a longterm relationship with self-made billionaire and global music icon Taylor Swift.

But despite all of that, Kelce looked back on Kansas City falling one win shy of a fourth Super Bowl title in February via a blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and described the campaign as a failure for both himself and his team.

“Unfortunately for me, I’m only interested in Super Bowl rings,” Kelce said during his Chiefs media availability on Wednesday, June 18. “Last year wasn’t a success for me, and I’m motivated to make sure we get that other ring this year.”

Kelce went on to note that 2025 is his final year under contract with Kansas City, adding that he and the franchise will “try and figure out something” for the 2026 campaign.

That said, Kelce will turn 36 years old in October, which means this season could be his last chance to add a fourth Super Bowl ring to his resumé before he moves on to life after football.