Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach recently revealed that the star tight end was dealing with an illness leading up to the game. In addition to Travis Kelce’s health concerns, questions about his future with the Chiefs continue to grow. With retirement rumors swirling, fans are eager to know what’s next for the NFL superstar.
Let’s take a closer look at what Veach had to say and what it could mean for Kelce’s career.
Chiefs Manager reveals Travis Kelce was battling illness
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was battling a significant illness leading up to Super Bowl LIX, according to Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach. Speaking on the NFL: The Insiders podcast, Veach revealed that Kelce was not at full strength before the highly anticipated game against the Philadelphia Eagles on February 9. While emphasizing that he was not making excuses for the team’s 40-22 loss, Veach admitted, “Yeah, he was battling with a pretty big illness before the Super Bowl.”
Despite the setback, Kelce still took the field, demonstrating his resilience and dedication to the team. However, the Chiefs struggled throughout the game, with the Eagles’ dominant performance overshadowing any potential impact of Kelce’s health concerns. Veach acknowledged that the team simply “picked a bad day to have a bad day” but also expressed confidence that the Chiefs would use the loss as motivation moving forward.
As speculation grows regarding Kelce’s future in the NFL, Veach provided insight into the veteran tight end’s potential return for the 2025 season. Addressing rumors of retirement, Veach stated, “I think so. We anticipate Travis being back. We’re excited to have Travis back.” This statement suggests that while no official decision has been made, the Chiefs expect Kelce to continue his career.
Kelce’s return would be a major boost for Kansas City, given his strong connection with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his ability to elevate the team. Veach emphasized Kelce’s leadership, saying, “He makes us better when he’s in our locker room and on our field.” While Kelce himself has remained noncommittal about his plans, his history of perseverance suggests he may not be ready to walk away just yet.
