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Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce gave some insight into his decision to return for another season this week on his "New Heights" podcast.

Kelce announced via the "New Heights" X on Thursday that he would be back for year 13, putting an end to long-swirling retirement rumors that picked up speed after the Chiefs' Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Kelce broke down his decision, saying he didn't overthink things and just went with his gut feeling.

"I love playing, I still feel like I could play it at a high level and possibly at a higher level than I did last year. ... I want to give it a good run," Kelce said. "I got a bad taste in my mouth on how I ended the year, and how well I was playing, and how accountable I was for the people around me.

"And I love so many people in Kansas City both in that facility, in the community, and it's home for me now. I don't want to leave that life yet."

His brother, Jason, said that he envied Travis' ability to make the decision without worrying about all the little things, and noted that Travis didn't even have to ask Jason for advice on the matter.

But both said it was clear to them that deep down, Kelce always wanted to come back for another year.

"I want to keep living out those dreams ... I never once, kind of, second-guessed it," Kelce said. "It was always in the back of my mind, even when it got tough last year on the body or when it got tough after the Super Bowl ... there's something and a motivating factor that you know, you can do this and you want to do this. And I pulled the trigger as soon as I knew that I had that feeling."

As many may have suspected, Kelce said losing the Super Bowl was probably the biggest factor in his decision to return. But even so, if they had won, he's not confident he would have left.

"I mean, it's a pretty cool way to go out, but I still ... I think I would still have this love for the game, and the feeling ... I think I would have thought about it more," Kelce said.

"If you want to play, you want to play," Jason agreed.

Kelce mentioned several times how he feels like he owes his teammates and Kansas City more after last season. As unhappy as he is with his performance in the Super Bowl, he's not using anger over that as his main motivation. Instead, he wants to focus on his love of the game.

"I feel like I'm playing my best when I'm out there playing for the right reasons," Kelce said. "You can't go into it like this mad human being ... that has this built-up animosity about the world and how it didn't go their way. ... I play my best when I go out there and have fun."

Kelce said the Chiefs will need to get some pieces in order to reach the pinnacle again next season. But he's looking forward to continuing to play with teammates who can have fun while being successful.

One thing is certain: Kelce is ready to be back.

"So, Kansas City, baby, we’re back at it for at least one more year," Kelce said. "I can’t say whether or not this is going to be the last year, because I still love a lot of what I do for the city of Kansas City and the Chiefs organization.

"So I know I got one on my contract, and I’m gonna give you guys everything I got, baby.