After the Kansas City Chiefs’ “three-peat” bid fell at the final hurdle against the Philadelphia Eagles, Travis Kelce has issued his verdict on the team’s performance at Super Bowl LIX

Kansas City Chiefs stalwart Travis Kelce made no secret of his dejection as he admitted that he wished things “were different” at Super Bowl LIX – before wishing he had helped Patrick Mahomes to inspire the team to victory.

Coming into the showdown in New Orleans, Andy Reid’s outfit was chasing an unprecedented “three-peat” crown following back-to-back successes in the Big Game. However, the Eagles were able to avenge their loss in the 2023 edition of the NFL’s showpiece with a compelling 40-22 win.

On the day, KC tight end Kelce struggled to impact proceedings and was held without a catch in the first half of the encounter on Feb. 9. The 35-year-old, who has three Super Bowl rings to his name, ended the game having tallied up four catches on six targets for 39 yards

Reflecting on a day to forget at Caesars Superdome, Kelce said on “New Heights”: “I wish things had went different. I wish I had made better decisions early on to help my guy Pat out and help my team find that momentum and that confidence. But you know, I just have to tip my hat to the Eagles.

After referencing Mahomes, who ended the Super Bowl with 257 passing yards, three touchdowns, and three turnovers, Kelce admitted he takes responsibility for his role in the defeat. He continued: “Just wasn’t our day. Couldn’t find a lick of momentum. I’m kicking myself for some of the tiny, tiny decisions I made on the field.

“I wasn’t the best that I could be in motivating my guys and keeping my guys calm, cool and collected and I put a lot of that on myself, you know, as the guy that’s been in the building for 12 years and seen a lot of football and seen a situation just like this, in the Super Bowl.”

Kansas City Chiefs duo Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes were unable to inspire their team to victory ( 
Image:
Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Kelce also appeared to be fighting back emotions as he acknowledged that he had been left shaken by the loss as he paid tribute to his teammates and colleagues, alongside the Chiefs fanbase. He said: “It’s a tough pill to swallow. It’s a hard reality, man,

“I love my teammates, I love my coaches. Chiefs Kingdom, I’m sorry for how it ended. I have a beautiful life man. ‘I have loved ones, I have the most amazing family in the world that supports me in everything I do and they were all there, cheering me on and hoping for the best on Sunday.”

In response, elder brother Jason Kelce consoled him, offering: “You broke the most catches in Super Bowl history. I know you don’t probably care that much about it right now because of the way the game went.

“You have so many records at this point… but at the end of the day it’s just another thing that cements you as one of the best players ever to play in the NFL,” before his younger sibling replied, saying: “That’s the last thing that I care about right now.”