Andy Reid Breaks His Silence on Travis Kelce Retirement Decision

With the Kansas City Chiefs already eliminated from postseason contention, the biggest storyline in Thursday night's Christmas Day showdown between the Chiefs and the Denver Broncos will be Travis Kelce's upcoming retirement decision. Now, his coach is addressing it.

While Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has not said much about the possibility that this could be Kelce's final season with the team, he could not escape the possibility that Thursday night could be Kelce's final home game with the team, and he addressed it accordingly.

Kelce's Retirement Decision

After briefly considering retirement following last season, Kelce opted to return to the Chiefs for another season. However, many expected that this would be the final season of his career, given his declining production, the end of his contract with the team, and high-profile media and entertainment opportunities that await him.

Kelce has not shied away from this possibility, as he has even given a timeline for when he might make the decision.

Still, after the team was officially eliminated from postseason contention, he made it clear that he did not want his upcoming retirement decision to be the focus of headlines and media attention for the remainder of the season.

“I’d rather keep the focus of the media and everything on this team right now,” Kelce said last week. “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. Typically, we go into it and we don’t know when it’s going to end and that’s the beauty of it. Just trying to make sure that everybody here knows that I’m focused on trying to win football games, these last three games.”

Andy Reid Addresses the Decision

While Kelce might not want his possible retirement to be the focus of the final three games of the season, the reality is that it's been impossible to ignore, especially as Kelce prepares for what could be the final home game of his career on Thursday night.

Chief's head coach Andy Reid has not said much about Kelce's possible retirement. However, leading up to Thursday night's showdown with the Broncos, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid broke his silence on what could be Kelce's final home game.

"I think his numbers, his personality, and the person speak for themselves," Reid said during a press conference this week. "Phenomenal person. Has been great for the community. He’s everything you want from a player representing an organization."

Before the season started, Reid made it clear that Kelce had not spoken to him about the possibility that this could be his final season with the team, adding that he hopes that the tight end would play "forever."

“He’s phenomenal, he’s been great for this organization,” Reid told reporters back in July. “I’ve watched him grow as a player, as a man. We haven’t talked about last years. You hope he plays forever, but that’s probably not going to happen for any of us.

“Whenever he decides to hang it up, he’s built a great legacy. If he decides this is it, that’s it — and if not, more power to him.”

We'll have to see what decision Kelce ultimately makes.