Andy Reid Addresses Travis Kelce’s Retirement Plans as Chiefs Offseason Is Underway

The tight end, whose contract with the Kansas City Chiefs ends in March 2026, is contemplating retirement after his 13-year career in the league

Andy Reid and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs. Credit :Jeff Bottari/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid shared an update on Travis Kelce’s future as he contemplates retirement after a 13-year NFL career entirely with the team
The coach made it clear that he didn’t want to “put words in [Kelce’s] mouth” when speaking on the star tight end
Kelce’s two-year extension contract with the Chiefs, signed in 2024, ends next month

Andy Reid is weighing in on Travis Kelce’s NFL future.

The Kansas City Chiefs head coach shared an update on the team’s communication with their star tight end, 36, who’s yet to reveal his anticipated decision on retirement after a remarkable 13-year career in the league.

“There is communication. That’s the main thing,” Reid told media during a press conference on Friday, Feb. 20. “That means people want to move forward. I think that’s where Trav is,” he said of Kelce, whose contract with the Chiefs ends in March 2026.

Andy Reid and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.Michael Owens/Getty

“I’m not trying to put words in his mouth at all, and I try to give him some space here,” continued Reid. “He’s been doing this a long time, and he can sort all that out as he goes forward. We’re proceeding with that, and there is communication.”

Kelce has been with the Chiefs since he was selected in the third round with the 63rd overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft. He recently wrapped his 13th season with the team, where he’s won three Super Bowl titles to date.

The Ohio native’s most recent season didn’t end on the same high note the franchise has become used to after the last three years. Not only did the team miss playoff contention for the first time in a decade, but Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear.

 Kelce, too, was admittedly frustrated with his own game, which he’s spoken about at length in various episodes of his New Heights podcast with his brother and co-host, Jason Kelce.

The Chiefs ultimately finished the season 6-11.

Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.Kevin Sabitus/Getty

With his two-year contract extension up next month, all eyes have been on Travis since before the team entered its offseason. Various players, staff members, front office folk and Travis himself have commented on his potential retirement.

“Well as an organization, we certainly hope that he will come back,” Chiefs CEO and Chairman Clark Hunt said in a guest spot on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football on Jan. 27.

“He had another great year, maybe not on par with where he was four or five years ago, but still had over 800 yards, and was really one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball for us. So there’s no doubt in my mind that he can still play,” he continued.

Travis Kelce hugs head coach Andy Reid after the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty

Hunt added, “We’re trying to be respectful and let him have the time that he needs to make a decision.”

Travis’ mom, Donna Kelce, also shared her thoughts on what she’d like to see her son do next season.

“I just want him to do what he feels comfortable doing,” she told TMZ in a video released on Friday, Feb. 13. “He’s gotta talk to people in his life to decide what he wants to do.”

She added, “So I’m not sure. We’ll see what happens!”

While Kelce has yet to make an explicit decision, he’s not against a return. “I feel motivated, but I got to make the right decision for me,” he previously said.