Andy Reid is talking with Travis Kelce about a 2026 return.
With the future Hall of Famer mulling retirement, Reid suggested Friday that there’s at least mutual interest between the two sides.
“There is communication,” Reid said of Kelce during a press conference. “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.”
After the regular season, Kelce wasn’t ready to say whether he’d come back for a 14th NFL season, saying on his “New Heights” podcast that he would take some time to be a “regular human,” which is something Reid said he welcomes.
“I’m not trying to put words in his mouth at all, and I try to give him some space here,” Reid said. “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.”
In January, Kelce appeared to suggest that he would be back with the Chiefs when discussing the re-hiring of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who was the Chiefs’ OC from 2018 through 2022 and then left to take the same role with the Commanders in 2023.
“I can’t wait to see him back in the building, man,” Kelce said. “He’s one of my favorite coaches of all-time, one of my favorite people of all time. I’ve had so many unbelievable growing moments under him as a player, as a person, and I just love the guy. And it’s gonna be awesome to see him back in the building and see him back wearing the Chiefs logo, baby.”
During Super Bowl week, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that many people close to Kelce who believe he will play at least one more season.
Kelce, 36, was solid last season despite a disappointing Chiefs campaign, racking up 851 yards and five touchdowns.
With or without Kelce, Kansas City will look to get back on track in 2026 after going 6-11 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
