Chiefs Coach Andy Reid Says Travis Kelce 'Can Still Play' When Asked About the Tight End's Retirement Decision

6 days ago 2

NEED TO KNOW

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid says he has no doubts Travis Kelce "can still play" in the NFL
Reid's comment came after a reporter asked the coach about his thoughts on Kelce potentially retiring after 13 seasons
Kelce says he'll consult with his family before making a decision

Travis Kelce can still suit up.

But whether or not the record-breaking tight end will return to the NFL for one more season is entirely up to him, according to Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.

Now, all Reid and the rest of the sports world can do is await his decision.

"We'll get to all that,” Reid, 67, said about Kelce, 36, when asked about the tight end’s retirement decision during the team’s final press conference of the season on Monday, Jan. 5. “Right now, not only are we finishing the season, but you’ve got a little bit of time before all that stuff really needs to take place. I’m not trying to avoid your question here, but that's what’s real. I know everybody wants the answer right this minute, but it’s something that you’ve got to go through.”

Reid said “there are a lot of variables” that will factor into whether the Chiefs’ nine-time Pro Bowl tight end will come back for one last season.

Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Travis Kelce and Andy Reid

“We all love Travis,” Reid said. “Trav can still play. I’m not trying questioning that part or any of it. I’m not trying to avoid your question, but I know there’s time. Last year, I was asked kind of the same thing. We’ve got a little bit of time to figure everything out, and so does Trav.”

Kelce’s potential retirement has lingered over the entirety of the Chiefs’ 2025-26 NFL season, which came to an end Sunday with the team’s 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Chiefs were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs last month, as the once-dominant team led by Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes faltered in close games throughout the year.

After Sunday’s loss, the three-time Super Bowl champion told reporters he’ll spend time talking with his family before coming to a decision about the 2026-27 season.

"I've got so much love for this team, this organization and the people here, so I’ll spend some time with them, go through exit meetings tomorrow and get close to the family and figure things out,” Kelce said Sunday.

The Chiefs star, who also holds the single-season NFL records in tight end receiving yards and receptions, told reporters his decision this offseason is much more difficult than last year when he wanted to avenge his and the Chiefs’ 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

However, Kelce did not indicate how long it would be until he announces his intentions to return or to retire.

"Who knows? Either it hits me quick or I gotta take some time," the Chiefs tight end said.

But after a disappointing season, which saw the Chiefs fail to make the NFL Playoffs for the first time in more than a decade as Mahomes, 30, went down with a season-ending knee injury late last month, Kelce’s teammates have made it clear they want him to return for one more shot at redemption and a fourth Super Bowl ring.

“We’ve been through so much together,” teammate Chris Jones told reporters after the Chiefs’ final home game on Christmas Day, expressing his desire for Kelce to come back next year. “Just one more [season]. Just one more.”

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