‘We’re never going to make excuses and talk about it, but he was battling with a pretty big illness.’
There was more than just the Philadelphia Eagles defence that was slowing Travis Kelce down in the Super Bowl.
It turns out that the superstar tight end was battling a “pretty big illness” right before the big game.
Kansas City general manager Brett Veach revealed during an appearance on the NFL Network’s The Insiders podcast that Kelce very much was under the weather in New Orleans – but also insisted that he and the team aren’t making any excuses after suffering a 40-22 blowout loss.
“We’re never going to make excuses and talk about it, but he was battling with a pretty big illness there before the Super Bowl,” Veach said. “But listen, the way the Eagles played, it wouldn’t have made a difference.”
Kelce struggled mightily in the Super Bowl, finishing the game with four catches for 39 yards – all coming in the second half with the game out of reach.
He had been a non-factor in the AFC Championship game as well, tallying two catches for 19 yards as the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills in a tight contest.
Kelce, 35, had career-low numbers in receiving yards (823) and touchdowns (3) this past season, leading to much speculation that the surefire hall of famer will hang up his cleats this off-season.
Veach, however, was optimistic that the four-time all-pro would be back in the fold come the fall.
“We anticipate Travis being back. We’re excited to have Travis back,” the GM said.
Veach also noted that Kelce shares a unique relationship with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and said that he “finds a way to stay in shape and produce at a level that only he can.”
“He makes us better when he’s in our locker room and on our field and we’re excited to get him back,” Veach continued, adding that Kelce had “accomplished everything that there is in this game.”
“He has one more year under contract,” Veach told the outlet. “Still think he has that fire and desire to play. As far as I’m concerned, there is no deadline (for a decision) I think we left it as he’d be back. And we’re excited to get him back and get him going.”
Kelce has been under an ever-increasing spotlight in the past couple of years after his relationship with pop megastar Taylor Swift became public in 2023. He also has taken up acting and hosts the game show Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?
Kelce has been noncommittal either way about retirement, speaking about the subject on his New Heights podcast with brother Jason earlier this month.
“I know everybody wants to know whether or not I’m playing next year, and right now, I’m just kicking everything down the road. I’m not making any crazy decisions,” Kelce said.