Chiefs WR reveals how Travis Kelce retirement talk truly rattled him

Rashee Rice admits he was nervous this offseason.

The Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver was among those who wondered whether franchise legend Travis Kelce would decide to return for another NFL season following the team's miserable loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. Rice said the idea of moving forward without Kelce gave him real pause.

“Yeah, I was real concerned, like a lot. You know what I’m saying? It’s Travis,” said Rice over the weekend from the Skillz and Drillz youth football camp. “But it’s like me getting hurt last year, it was kind of a wake-up call. I really wanted him to come back. [You] kind of realize the guys that you got to play with once it’s all over. So, I get to actually be at my footsteps right now. You know what I’m saying? Accept that and just enjoy his presence around the team.”

Rice made the comments while appearing at a youth football event alongside other NFL players, including Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy, Texans receiver Tank Dell, Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron, and Packers rookie Matthew Golden.

Rashee Rice recently spoke from a youth football camp about Kelce's return and his offensive hopes for 2025.

Kelce’s decision to give it another go gives the Chiefs offense another year with its emotional center and Mahomes' most trusted pass-catcher. It also gives Rice another opportunity to grow alongside a player whose presence means a great deal to him.

Rice is returning from a season-ending leg issue suffered in Week 4 when quarterback Patrick Mahomes accidentally fell on him. It was a cruel twist to what was shaping up to be a stellar sophomore season. At the time, Rice was leading the Chiefs in receiving and ranked among the NFL’s top pass-catchers through three weeks with 24 receptions for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns.

When asked about the state of the Chiefs' offense going into the 2025 season, Rice made it clear that expectations are sky-high. "We've got a lot of guys. We're deep in depth. Wide receiver group. We're going to be explosive this year. We're just excited to put on a show, to be honest. We know it's going to be a show. The only thing in the way right now is time. So, we're just waiting patiently."

As for his own readiness, Rice said he’s stayed fully engaged this offseason. "Not necessarily. I've been in practice like everybody else. Leading the guys, leading the group. Still learning every day from the older guys. So, it's the same thing as last year. We're just going to put on a show."