On Thursday, Feb. 27, “The Pat McAfee Show” reported that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce plans to return for the 2025 NFL season. And while McAfee showcased his excitement over the tight end’s return, it’s hard to imagine anyone is more thrilled over Kelce’s decision than Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes Shares GIF Reaction to Kelce’s Decision To Return
In recent years, NFL quarterbacks such as Mahomes and Tom Brady have earned comparisons to other great athletes, mainly in the NBA with Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
So, fittingly, Mahomes tweeted a GIF from the Jordan documentary “The Last Dance: as his reaction to news of Kelce’s return.
https://t.co/KvV2XwEUeJ pic.twitter.com/i7fIQCchMs
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) February 27, 2025
The man in the GIF was a security guard for the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. The shoulder shrug he was imitating in the clip was a move Jordan did after making a 3-pointer in the first half of a 1992 NBA Finals game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Kelce is not only going to return for his 13th NFL season, but he sounds very motivated to come back better than last year.
McAfee read a text that he received from Kelce during the episode, saying that the Chiefs TE texted, “I’m coming back for sure. Going to try and get to the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop.”
McAfee added that Kelce concluded his text, writing, “Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and how I got the guys ready for battle. I can’t go out like that.”
Kelce, according to McAfee, also included several exclamation points in the text.
I reached out to source(s) on the future of @tkelce..
Source(s) said I'M COMING BACK FOR SURE..
I'm gonna get in the best shape of my life this offseason..
I've got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and I can't go out like that!!!! #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/HqfpdqEjqa
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 27, 2025
In 2024, Kelce posted his seventh consecutive 90-reception season. However, he only totaled 823 receiving yards, registering a career-low 8.5 yards per reception.
In the playoffs, however, Kelce had a strong Divisional Round performance versus the Houston Texans. He recorded seven catches for 117 yards with a touchdown in the 23-14 victory. Yet, in Kansas City’s other two matchups, he totaled just six receptions for 58 yards and no scores.
Mahomes Getting Back His Favorite Target
Kelce isn’t as dangerous as he once was, and that’s not likely to change much, as he will turn 36 during the 2025 season. But the veteran TE is still a very reliable target, particularly in the big moments.
Kelce also remained Mahomes’ favorite target in 2024, having led the Chiefs in targets, catches, and receiving yards. In fact, Kelce had twice as many targets as every other KC pass catcher except Xavier Worthy.
With Kelce returning, Mahomes should make developing chemistry with other targets a top priority next fall. The Chiefs quarterback hasn’t been a top-five MVP finalist since he last won the award in 2022 and finished 10th in the PFSN’s QB+ metric this past season.
“Mahomes, who has posted a similar QB+ over the last two seasons, is still clearly not playing at the same level he was earlier in his career. Yet, the way this team is built means he has to adapt his style. His 47.8% third-down conversion rate leads the NFL, and at times, it feels like the march to the end zone is inevitable when the Chiefs are driving,” wrote PFSN.
“The biggest concern in Mahomes’ numbers this season has been a 0.25 EPA/DB from a clean pocket, which ranks 18th. The other numbers are good without being special, and his 11 interceptions leave much to be desired.
“Mahomes has relied on a lot of help after the catch, ranking seventh in YAC/Cp at 5.9. But he’s also been reliable when pressured, with a -0.13 EPA/DB in those spots (seventh).”
It would help Mahomes, in the long run, if the Chiefs had a more balanced passing attack in 2025. But for the immediate future, he’s getting back the player he’s thrown more passes to than anyone else.