Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Travis Kelce Issues Stern Warning to NFL Ahead of 13th Season with Chiefs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 6:49 PM ET

Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce is 35 years old and widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever play his position. However, statistically, the 2024 season was one of the least productive of his storied career—despite the Chiefs making yet another Super Bowl appearance.

Kelce finished the season with 97 receptions for a career-low 823 yards and just three touchdowns (not counting his rookie year in 2013 when he didn’t log any stats).

Following Kansas City's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, Kelce seriously contemplated retirement. But he ultimately chose to return for a 13th season, saying he felt like "he let his teammates down in more ways than he helped them," along with simply not wanting to go out like that.

On Wednesday, the Kelce brothers dropped a new episode of their "New Heights" podcast, featuring special guest and NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal. During the episode, Shaq didn't hold back when questioning Kelce about his limited usage in the Super Bowl this past year.

“How come they didn't use you a lot at the Super Bowl?” O’Neal asked. “I know you were [explicit] pissed. Like, I don't wanna get you in trouble, but because I know you're on a team.”

Kelce responded professionally: “You already know. We were trying to use all the pieces, man.”

But Shaq wasn’t satisfied with that answer, firing back, “No. No. [Explicit] all the pieces. I need the pieces to help us win the first [explicit] Super Bowl. Don’t be trying to do new [explicit]. Like, I don’t know if you said anything to get in trouble, but I wasn’t happy about that.”

That sparked a fired-up message from Kelce, who ended the conversation with a clear warning to the rest of the NFL: "Wait till you see this year, baby. I’m coming back with a little bit of Shaq [explicit]—pissed off and ready to rock and roll, man.”

The Chiefs have retained the bulk of their roster, and as long as Patrick Mahomes is under center, they aren’t going anywhere in the AFC.

That said, if Travis Kelce can return to peak form—or even something close to it—Kansas City could very well find themselves back in the big game when it’s all said and done.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: