Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has officially weighed in on Travis Kelce’s decision to return for his 13th NFL season, putting to rest any speculation about the legendary tight end’s future.
Kelce, who will be 35 when the 2025 season kicks off, recently confirmed his return in a text message to Pat McAfee, stating that he had a “real bad taste” in his mouth following the Chiefs’ disappointing Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite whispers about a potential retirement, Reid firmly believes that Kelce will be fully committed to the team’s quest for another championship next season.
Reid: Kelce Is ‘All In’ for 2025
Speaking on The Bettor Angle podcast, Reid made it clear that Kelce is not only coming back but remains one of the best tight ends in the league.
“He said he was coming back, and he’s all in,” Reid stated. “He’s all in, 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.”
Acknowledging the chatter about Kelce possibly slowing down, Reid pushed back on the idea that the veteran tight end is no longer dominant.
“Okay, well, if he’s a step slower or whatever people are saying, he’s still one of the best in the National Football League, and in my eyes, he’s the best.”
RELATED: Chiefs’ Xavier Worthy Breaks Silence with Cryptic Message Following Arrest and Dropped Charges
Kelce’s Super Bowl Struggles and His Motivation to Return
Kelce’s subdued performance in Super Bowl LIX, where he caught just four passes and was largely ineffective in the Chiefs’ 40-22 loss, raised some eyebrows. He later admitted on his New Heights podcast with his brother Jason Kelce that he wasn’t fully locked in during the game.
“I feel like I owe the guys that I come into that building with a whole lot more effort and focus,” Kelce reflected. “I just don’t know what it was during that game, man. I wasn’t at my best. The more that I see clips or watch the film and put myself back into those moments, man, I’m just like ‘what the f**.’”*
Jason Kelce quickly reassured his brother, telling him not to overanalyze his performance.
“Don’t overanalyze it, Trav. You’re the king of not overanalyzing, so don’t overanalyze it.”
Travis, however, sees his self-criticism as a source of motivation for the future.
“That’s how I find motivation. That’s how I create the beast, that’s how I flick the switch,” he explained.
A Challenging Season for Kelce
By his own Hall of Fame-caliber standards, Kelce had a down year in 2024. He finished the regular season with just 823 receiving yards and three touchdowns—his lowest totals since his second season in 2014.
However, he flashed his playoff brilliance once again, putting up 117 yards and a touchdown against the Texans in the divisional round. Yet, he struggled to maintain that momentum, managing just 58 yards the rest of the way as the Chiefs’ dream of a historic three-peat slipped away.
Despite the dip in production, Reid remains confident in Kelce’s impact—both on and off the field.
“Whatever he does on the field, the greatness that he is there, he’s even that much better off the field,” Reid said. “He’s a great teammate and a great human being, one of those guys you’d say—he’s not going to do it—but one of those guys you’d say, ‘I’d love to have him on my staff when he’s done playing.’”
Kelce’s Next Mission: A Chiefs Redemption Run
For now, Kelce isn’t focused on coaching—he’s focused on getting back to the Super Bowl. He’ll return with a chip on his shoulder, eager to prove that he still has plenty left in the tank.
With Patrick Mahomes leading the offense, DK Metcalf joining the receiving corps, and Andy Reid still at the helm, the Chiefs remain a serious contender for another title. And with Kelce fully “all in,” Kansas City will be looking to avenge their Super Bowl LIX loss and make another run at glory.