Chiefs Coach Andy Reid Breaks His Silence on Travis Kelce Retirement Decision

Legendary Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has a big decision to make this offseason as he continues to ponder whether to retire from the league or return for another season. While that decision has not yet been made or announced, it sounds like there has at least been communication between him and the team.

During a recent press conference, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid did not have much to say about the decision, but he did at least provide a bit of an update for fans who are eagerly awaiting his decision.

Kelce's Retirement Decision Looms

After briefly considering retirement following last season, Kelce ultimately chose to return to the league in 2025, which was also the final year of his contract with the team.

Given that Kelce has now finished his contract with the Chiefs, his recent engagement to pop sensation Taylor Swift, and a promising media and entertainment career ahead of him, there has been a lot of speculation that he could now choose to retire.

Kelce, however, has not given any real indication of what he plans to do, but he has given at least some indication of the timeline of his decision.

“I think, yeah, just being a regular human for a couple weeks, maybe a month or so, trying to figure out what I’m gonna do next in terms of my future in football,” Kelce said last month. “And I think, you know, I’ve talked to a few people in the facility already, you know, having the exit meetings and everything, and, they know where I stand at least right now.”

This aligns with what Kelce said of his timeline previously.

“Seeing my brother go through it, and seeing how the league works, the season re-starts in April, and I want to give the Chiefs a good opportunity, whether I come back or not, and vice versa — whether they want me back or not,” Kelce said during the season. “I’d like to make that decision before they’ve got to get draft picks and free agency opens, or gives them an opportunity to fill the roster appropriately. All that will be at the end of the season. I won’t be thinking about it until then.”

Andy Reid Addresses Decision

Kelce has not yet formally announced his decision, and it sounds like he has not informed his coach of his decision yet, either – but they have at least talked.

Reid has not spoken much about Kelce's status following the season, but he broke his silence on the matter a bit this week.

"No, there is communication though," Reid told reporters on Friday, via NFL Media. "That's the main thing. I've said this before: As long as there's communication, I'm good. That means people want to move forward. I think that's where Trav is. I'm not trying to put words in his mouth at all and I try to give him some space here.

"He's been doing this a long time and he can sort all that out going forward. But we're proceeding with that and there is communication going on."

Before what could have been the final home game of his career back in December, Reid had some glowing words for Kelce.

“I think his numbers, his personality, and the person speak for themselves,” Reid said during a press conference this week. “Phenomenal person. Has been great for the community. He’s everything you want from a player representing an organization.”

Chiefs Want Him Back?

Over the past several seasons, it's been obvious that Kelce's production has slipped and his is past his physical prime as a player. However, it sounds like the team would still gladly take him back if that's what he wanted.

“Well as an organization, we certainly hope that he will come back,” Chiefs team owner Clark Hunt said last month. “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. We’re trying to be respectful and let him have the time that he needs to make a decision.

“He has sort of a busy offseason coming up with his engagement and marriage, so we want to be respectful and give him the time he needs to make a decision. But we certainly hope that he’ll be back.”

We'll have to see what Kelce ultimately decides to do, but it's pretty clear the team would take him back if he decides to return.