While many assumed figures like Patrick Mahomes or Taylor Swift played a role in Kelce’s choice, it was actually Rashee Rice—his young Chiefs teammate—who made the strongest push to keep him on the field. "I ain't gonna lie to y'all. I'm 95 percent of the reason he ain't retiring," Rice said in a recent interview with Revolt.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid had a heart-to-heart with Travis Kelce about whether or not he should retire. "We had a great visit before he left," Reid, 66, said on the Saturday, March 8, episode of "The Bettor Angle" podcast.