Andy Reid has fueled speculation that Travis Kelce will resist retirement and return to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2026 season.
The future of the legendary tight end has been shrouded in uncertainty for some time and speculation only intensified after the Chiefs failed to reach the playoffs.
Kelce, 36, has spent his entire career playing under Reid in Kansas City but he has yet to confirm whether he will play a 14th season in the NFL or retire for a quieter life with fiancee Taylor Swift.
The Chiefs star enjoyed a weekend of partying with fellow NFL players and celebrities ahead of the Super Bowl and, as revealed by the Daily Mail, sources close to the player believe he will confirm his return sooner than later.
Now Reid has hinted he believes Kelce will re-sign for at least another year, too.
‘There is communication,’ Reid said. ‘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 Travis is.’
Andy Reid has fueled speculation that Travis Kelce will return to the Chiefs next season
The future of the legendary tight end has been shrouded in uncertainty for some time
‘There’s communication… that means people want to move forward,’ Reid said of Kelce
Kelce’s two-year deal ran to the end of the 2025 season. Last month, following the final game of the campaign, he said he was unsure how long it would take to decide his future.
‘Who knows?’ Kelce said. ‘Either it hits me quick or I’ve got to take some time. Last year was a little bit easier. I think I knew right away I wanted to kind of give this one [year] a shot. We’ll see.’
Kelce previously hinted at retirement after the Chiefs lost Super Bowl LIX to the Philadelphia Eagles before deciding to play on.
‘I’ve got so much love for this team, this organization and the people here,’ he said a year later. ‘I’ll spend some time with them, go through exit meetings and get close to the family and figure things out.’
The tight end has promised to decide his next move before the start of NFL free agency.
‘I’m not trying to put words in his mouth at all, and I try to give him some space here,’ Reid added. ‘He’s been doing this a long time, and he can sort all that out as he goes forward. But we’re proceeding with that.’
Despite his age – and the Chiefs’ struggles – Kelce was resurgent in 2025, leading the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
The tight end hinted he would play on when he recently heaped praise on returning offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
‘I can’t wait to see him back in the building. He’s one of my favorite coaches of all time. I’ve had so many unbelievable growing moments under him as a player,’ Kelce said.
