Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce could be reaching his final game at Arrowhead Stadium, with the future Hall of Famer facing growing retirement rumors in the team’s final two games of the season.
While Kelce has not announced his plans for the future, his contract with the Chiefs expires at the end of this season and he has some big personal plans as he and finacee Taylor Swift are expected to tie the knot in the summer. Chiefs coach Andy Reid didn’t have any more insight on whether Kelce would retire, but did have some big praise to share for the veteran tight end this week.
Andy Reid Appreciates Travis Kelce’s Contributions
When asked on Tuesday whether Kelce would be heading off to retirement at the conclusion of this season, Reid said he hadn’t broached the topic with the tight end.
“I don’t know if it is. I haven’t talked to him,” Reid said, via SI.com. “But I think his numbers, and personality, the person, I think speaks for themselves. Phenomenal person. Great for the community, has been great for the community. He’s everything you want from a player representing an organization.”
Although Kelce has struggled with some miscues this season, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has praised the veteran for his play on the field and his leadership skills off the field.
“He’s doing great. There’s going to be some routes that he ran really, really well as a third (or) fourth year into the league,” Nagy said. “But what he uses now is he’s savvy with his mental. These guys see what he does and he’s able to set guys up. He’s having a great year right now and I think that’s what’s so special in his leadership skills. The way he leads these guys is second to none.
Kelce reportedly considered retirement at the conclusion of last season but was motivated to return with the hopes of avenging the team’s blowout loss in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs instead sank even further, struggling to stay above .500 for most of the season and getting eliminated from the playoffs in Week 15.
The Chiefs also lost quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a season-ending torn ACL, casting even more uncertainty over Kelce’s future.
Kelce told reporters at a December 19 press conference that he was only focusing on the two games ahead of him.
“I’d rather keep the focus of the media and everything on this team right now,” Kelce said. “All the conversations I have with the team and everything moving forward will be with them. I think it’s a unique time in my life. Unfortunately, I’ve got three games left, and I know when the season ends this year.”
One Last Big Honor for Travis Kelce
If Kelce does decide to hang up his cleats after this season, he will have one final honor to send him off. The tight end led all NFL players in fan voting for the Pro Bowl Games, and he joined three other Chiefs players in earning a trip to the game.
This marks the 11th straight time that Kelce has made the Pro Bowl in his 13-year career.
Chiefs Coach Andy Reid Turns Heads With Answer on Travis Kelce Retirement