Travis Kelce is preparing to potentially go to yet another Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s already won three Super Bowls with the Chiefs in 2020, 2023, and 2024 respectively. He’s also 35, which is practically elderly in Tight End Years.
Despite all of this, there is still one regret that Kelce has when it comes to his Chiefs career that haunts him to this day. Indeed, what this regret is may surprise you.
Kelce’s Biggest Chiefs Regret
Kelce, 35, regrets never winning a Super Bowl with Alex Smith. He was the quarterback for the Chiefs during Kelce’s first four years with the team. Smith was traded to the Washington Redskins after the 2017 season in order to start the newly-drafted Patrick Mahomes, who has since led the team to three Super Bowl titles.
It still bothers Kelce to this day that he never won a Super Bowl with Smith, however.
“I wanted to get a Super Bowl for Alex,” Kelce told ESPN. “He was such a leader to me, showed me how to do it the right way.”
“I wanted to go out and get one for him or at least keep fighting for him,” he continued. “I felt guilty I wasn’t able to get one for him.”
Smith Responds
Smith, who retired in 2020, had nothing but kind words for Kelce.
“If I had to make a team from those guys of the teammates I remember and will always remember, Travis is absolutely first-team on that list,” said Smith, 40. “He’s in the huddle. Travis is a guy who gives energy. Every interaction with him you like. You always feel better after talking to him.”
“There aren’t many teammates you would say that about,” he added. “Some relationships are so unique. Some people are so magnetic and you love being around them, and Travis is one of those guys.”
When asked what it’s like to actually play alongside Kelce, Smith paused.
“Let’s see if I can do it justice,” he began. “It was always the small things with Travis. The ribbings, the jokes, the smiles. But it was also the realness. I know people can boil football down to a boys’ game, which it is. But when you get to the NFL, it’s hard. It’s stressful.”
That’s when it matters most to have real pros on the team, like Kelce.
“The games mean so much. It’s rare to find people unaffected by all that stress,” he continued. “He was one of those guys, and by being who he is, he helped everyone around him. He was always so comfortable in his own skin. That was great as a teammate because he made everybody else comfortable. He enjoys coming to work, and that’s infectious.”
Related: Did Travis Kelce Just Drop A Massive Hint About Retiring?
Kelce’s Strong Sports Friendships
Kelce and Smith remain close friends to this day. In fact, Kelce is still friends with guys from many of his former sports teams dating back to when he was a child.
“I’ve always thought sports are the ultimate hangout with friends,” Kelce said. “So I just want to make sure I bring the energy every day. I like to come here and have fun.”
While Kelce’s biggest Chiefs regret may initially be a surprise, it’s not that shocking when you look at who he is as a person. In the end, Smith is lucky to have a friend like Kelce in his corner!