Chiefs’ Travis Kelce says he can still ‘play at a high level’playAndrew Hawkins pushes back on Patrick Mahomes decline talk (1:10)Nate TaylorAug 12, 2026, 03:02 PM ETMultiple Authors
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce says he believes he can perform at a higher level in what could be his final NFL season, adding that he also wants to be more accountable as a leader in the locker room.
“I’ve still got a lot of love for this game,” Kelce stated Wednesday. “I want to go out there and prove to myself that I can play at a better level than I did last year. That’s probably the biggest thing for me, is making sure I’m accountable to the guys in this [locker] room and every single play that I’m out there.”
Kelce, 36, returned to the Chiefs in March on a one-year, $12 million contract with a maximum value of $15 million.
Since then, the four-time All Pro tight end has been a constant presence, whether during the Chiefs’ offseason program or during training camp. He has showcased his usual receiving skills in the practices at Missouri Western State but has also put an emphasis on making contested catches.
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“[Just] being more accountable when the ball is in the air,” Kelce stated. “There were a few games last year that I felt like I put on myself. In the blocking world, being able to get my guy so we can spring guys for bigger gains. And just being a better leader.
“When we get stuck with adversity hitting, who’s going to want to be in that foxhole with you. I want to be one of those guys everybody counts on to get us out of that foxhole.”
Kelce led the Chiefs in targets (108), receptions (76), yards (851), touchdowns (five) and receiving first downs (45) last season.
Two of his biggest mistakes, however, were when he dropped Patrick Mahomes passes that led directly to interceptions.
In a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chiefs were just 6 yards away from taking a 17-13 lead early in the fourth quarter. But Kelce dropped a quick pass near the goal line, the ball bouncing off his hands and into the arms of rookie safety Andrew Mukuba, who returned the interception 41 yards.
In the final minutes of the Chiefs’ loss to the Houston Texans, Kelce dropped the ball on back-to-back snaps — the second becoming an interception that ended Kansas City’s last chance for a comeback.
Another reason Kelce chose to return for a 13th season with the Chiefs is because he wanted to continue playing with Mahomes, who is on track to be the starter on opening night, a home game Sept. 14 against the Denver Broncos on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.”
While Mahomes continues to recover from his injured left knee, which was surgically repaired in December after he tore his ACL and LCL, Kelce has remained one of his top passing targets throughout camp.
“Everybody knows I love that guy,” Kelce stated. “That’s a brother to me. I’m so proud of the way he handled adversity from last year to right now. We still have about a month until the first game, but if you see him out here, he’s enjoying the game, competing at a high level and not thinking about the knee. He’s playing his tail off and leading us.”
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