> At a Glance
> – Andy Reid insists Travis Kelce “can still play” after 13 NFL seasons
> – Kelce will consult family before deciding on 2026-27 return
> – Chiefs missed playoffs for first time in a decade after 14-12 loss to Raiders
> – Why it matters: Future of the franchise’s nine-time Pro Bowl tight end hangs in balance
Kansas City’s season ended Sunday with a thud, and now the biggest offseason question centers on Travis Kelce‘s next move. Head coach Andy Reid made one thing clear Monday: the 36-year-old tight end hasn’t lost a step.
Reid’s Vote of Confidence
Reid fielded retirement questions during the Chiefs’ final press conference of the year on Jan. 5.
> “Trav can still play. I’m not questioning that part or any of it,” the 67-year-old coach said.
He cautioned that “a lot of variables” remain and that both sides have “a little bit of time” before any deadline.
A Season to Forget
Kansas City stumbled to a 14-12 home loss against Las Vegas, sealing their playoff absence:
- First miss since 2014
- QB Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending knee injury late in the year
- Team repeatedly lost one-score games
Kelce holds single-season tight-end records for both receiving yards and receptions.
What Kelce Says
After Sunday’s defeat, the three-time Super Bowl champion told reporters his choice will be family-first.
> “I’ve got so much love for this team… I’ll spend time with them, go through exit meetings… and get close to the family and figure things out,” Kelce explained.
He admitted the call feels tougher than last year, when a crushing Super Bowl LIX loss to Philadelphia fueled his return.
Locker-Room Lobbying
Defensive tackle Chris Jones is already campaigning for one more run.
> “We’ve been through so much together. Just one more. Just one more,” Jones pleaded after the Christmas Day home finale.
Key Takeaways
- Reid sees no on-field drop-off from Kelce
- The tight end will weigh family input before announcing
- Teammates badly want him back for a shot at redemption
- No timetable has been set for a final decision
The Chiefs-and their fans-now enter an offseason defined by one looming verdict: will No. 87 run it back?
