Kelce, 34, agreed his new Chiefs contract – worth $34.25million – at the end of April, a reward for another stunning season in Kansas City that ended with a second straight Super Bowl victory and the third of his career.
But midway through last season, in an interview with Wall Street Journal as his fame spiraled through his relationship with Taylor Swift, Kelce admitted he often thinks about retiring due to the physical toll of the game on his body.
Fast forward to May, though, and Kelce now appears to want to keep on going and equal the six NBA titles that Michael Jordan won in his basketball career.
‘Three more? Give me as many rings as Jordan’s got, baby,’ Kelce said with a laugh in an interview with Zen Water. ‘That feeling in the end zone is the greatest feeling, hoisting that trophy at the end, that’s the Mecca right there.
‘Vince Lombardi (the Super Bowl trophy) at the end of the year with my teammates and my coaches and the fanbase in Kansas City, that’s what I’ve got my mind set on. Three more, here we come.
‘Scoring a touchdown and either hearing boos, silence or the entire stadium absolutely erupt is one of the greatest feelings you could ever have, man. I love it.
‘Looking at the legacy, I want to be known as somebody that was selfless and really wanted to make a difference in the communities that he was playing in.
‘I’ve been in a very beautiful organization that has given me the opportunity to grow as an athlete and off the field.
Kelce is a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Chiefs and this season will spearhead their shot at an historic NFL three-peat.
The Chiefs have a blockbuster start to the season, hosting the Baltimore Ravens on September 5 at Arrowhead Stadium in the first game of the season.
That is followed by the Cincinnati Bengals visiting Arrowhead, before their first road game in Week 3 at Atlanta Falcons.
Speaking about retirement last year, Kelce said: ‘That’s the only thing I’ve never really been open about. The discomfort. The pain. The lingering injuries – the 10 surgeries I’ve had.
‘I still feel every single surgery to this day.’
Currently in the offseason, Kelce was in Europe last week to support girlfriend Swift on her Eras Tour dates in Paris before the couple enjoyed a break in Lake Como, Italy.