Travis Kelce will play in his 13th season in the NFL after contemplating retirement following the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss in February

Andy Reid Drops Bombshell on Travis Kelce’s Future with Chiefs After Retirement Rumors Swirl

In the wake of the Kansas City Chiefs’ crushing Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in February 2025, speculation about Travis Kelce’s future in the NFL reached a fever pitch. The 35-year-old tight end, a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ dynasty, had fans and analysts alike wondering if he’d hang up his cleats after 12 stellar seasons. But Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has finally broken his silence, delivering a definitive update that’s put retirement rumors to rest—for now. Speaking on The Bettor Angle podcast, Reid revealed that Kelce is not only returning for the 2025 season but is “all in,” sending a clear message to the rest of the league: the future Hall of Famer still has plenty left in the tank.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid recently shared Kelce’s reasoning for returning to the game of footballCredit: Getty

The Chiefs’ 40-22 defeat in Super Bowl LIX was a bitter pill to swallow. It dashed their hopes of achieving an unprecedented three-peat, a feat that would have cemented their status as one of the NFL’s all-time great teams. For Kelce, the game was a personal low point. He managed just four catches for 39 yards, a stark contrast to the dominant performances that have defined his career. Critics pointed to his lackluster 2024 regular season—where he posted a career-low 823 receiving yards and three touchdowns since 2014—as evidence that age might be catching up. Whispers of retirement grew louder, fueled by Kelce’s own admission on his New Heights podcast that the loss left a “bad taste” in his mouth. But Reid, the architect of Kansas City’s success, isn’t buying the narrative that his star tight end is slowing down.

“He said he was coming back, and he’s all in,” Reid told podcast hosts Camron Smith and Clay Harbor. “He’s a heck of a player. I mean, listen, he’s getting older, but you’re talking about the guy that’s going to go down as maybe the best of all time at that position.” Reid’s confidence in Kelce is unwavering. Even if the tight end has lost a step, as some detractors claim, the coach insists he remains one of the NFL’s elite. “In my eyes, he’s the best,” Reid added, brushing off concerns about Kelce’s age or perceived decline. It’s a bold stance, but one backed by a coach who’s seen Kelce evolve from a brash third-round pick in 2013 into a three-time Super Bowl champion and 10-time Pro Bowler.

Kelce’s decision to return didn’t come lightly. After the Super Bowl heartbreak, he took time to reflect, weighing the physical toll of a grueling 12-year career against his burning desire to keep playing. On New Heights, alongside his brother Jason—a recently retired Eagles center—Kelce opened up about the struggle. “It was probably the biggest factor,” he said of the Super Bowl loss, calling it an “all-time low.” Yet, it was his love for the game that ultimately tipped the scales. “The biggest thing is that I f—— love playing the game of football,” he confessed. “I still think I can play it at a high level, and possibly at a higher level than I did last year.” That passion, coupled with a sense of unfinished business, convinced him to lace up his cleats for at least one more season.

Reid’s role in Kelce’s journey can’t be overstated. The 66-year-old coach has been a guiding force since drafting Kelce out of Cincinnati, turning a raw talent into a polished superstar. Their relationship hasn’t always been smooth—think back to Kelce’s sideline outburst during Super Bowl LVIII in 2024, when he shoved Reid in frustration—but it’s built on mutual respect. Reid sees beyond the stats and the occasional flare-ups, valuing Kelce’s intangibles. “Whatever he does on the field, the greatness that he has there, he’s even that much better off the field,” Reid said. “He’s a great teammate and a great human being.” It’s this character, as much as his skill, that keeps Kelce indispensable to the Chiefs.

“I’m so excited that he’s going to be back,” owner Clark Hunt said, per The Athletic.

Kelce has just one year left on his contract.

The 2024 season wasn’t Kelce’s finest, no question. At 35, he faced the inevitable wear and tear of a career spent battling linebackers and safeties. His postseason numbers—117 yards and a touchdown against the Texans, followed by a quieter 58 yards over the next two games—reflected a Chiefs offense hampered by injuries to key players like Marquise Brown, Isiah Pacheco, and Rashee Rice. Kelce shouldered more responsibility than ever, often drawing double teams as opponents schemed to neutralize him. Yet, even in a “down” year, he finished with 97 catches, proving his hands and football IQ remain elite. Reid believes a healthier supporting cast in 2025 will unlock Kelce’s full potential once again.

Kelce’s return is a boon for a Chiefs team still licking its wounds from February. The Super Bowl loss exposed vulnerabilities—Patrick Mahomes was sacked six times and threw two interceptions—but also highlighted the resilience that’s defined their run. With two years left on his $34.25 million contract, Kelce has time to chase another ring and silence the doubters. His track record speaks for itself: he holds NFL records for most consecutive and overall 1,000-yard seasons by a tight end, and he’s the Chiefs’ all-time leader in touchdown receptions, surpassing legend Tony Gonzalez. Reid knows what he’s got—a player who’s not just chasing stats but a legacy.

Off the field, Kelce’s life has never been more high-profile. His relationship with pop sensation Taylor Swift, who cheered him on at Chiefs games throughout 2024, has thrust him into a spotlight few athletes experience. Some speculated that his off-field distractions—Swift’s Eras Tour, his growing media empire with New Heights—might pull him away from football. But Reid dismisses that noise. “He’s not distracted,” he’s said in the past, and Kelce’s commitment to returning reinforces that. If anything, his personal life seems to fuel him, giving him a balance that keeps him grounded amid the chaos of an NFL season.

What’s next for Kelce and the Chiefs? Reid hinted at a postseason debrief where he gave Kelce simple advice: “Get out of here.” It wasn’t a dismissal but a nudge to step away, clear his mind, and come back refreshed. Kelce took it to heart, and by late February, he confirmed to Pat McAfee he’d be back, texting, “Gonna try and get to the best shape I’ve been in this offseason and get back to the mountaintop.” That determination has Reid fired up. He even mused about Kelce’s post-playing career, suggesting he’d be a natural fit on a coaching staff—though, for now, Kelce’s focus is firmly on the field.

As the Chiefs gear up for 2025, Kelce’s return sends a ripple through the NFL. Opponents who hoped age or disappointment might sideline him are now on notice: the man Reid calls “the best” isn’t done yet. Whether he can reclaim his peak form remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear—Travis Kelce isn’t walking away from Kansas City without a fight. For Reid, the Chiefs, and their legion of fans, that’s more than enough to keep the dream of another Super Bowl alive.