Andy Reid has spoken out about the future of Travis Kelce, claiming that he still has the ability to play at the top level if he decides to continue for another season.
Kelce has just finished his 13th year in the NFL and is currently in the process of weighing up whether he will return, or walk off into the sunset with fiancee Taylor Swift.
Chiefs players underwent their exit interviews and cleared out their lockers on Monday, after a rough season in which they went 6-11 and missed out on the playoffs.
Fans are waiting with bated breath to hear Kelce’s decision at the age of 36, and his head coach Reid was questioned on the tight end’s future on Monday.
Speaking to the media, he responded: ‘We’ll get to all that. Right now, you’ve got a little bit of time before all that stuff really needs to take place. I’m not trying to avoid your question, but that’s what’s real right now.
‘I know everybody wants an answer right this minute. It’s something that you’ve got to go through, there are a lot of variables there, but we all love Travis, we know that.
Andy Reid has backed Travis Kelce to be able to play at the highest level again next season
Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs were beaten by the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday
‘Travis can still play and I’m not questioning that part or any of it. I just know there’s time, it’s the same way as last year. You’ve got a little bit of time there to figure everything out.’
On Sunday night, Kelce told reporters he will ‘get close to the family and figure things out’ as he weighs up retiring from the NFL, but if he does decide to continue then his coach’s positive remarks will come as a significant boost.
The team finished their disastrous season on Sunday with a loss to the league-worst Raiders in Las Vegas.
Speculation that Taylor Swift’s fiance could walk away from football after 13 seasons has ramped up in recent weeks but Sunday’s loss will be a devastating way for him to go out if he chooses to walk away.
Footage of him returning to the locker room at the end of the game showed Kelce looking especially deflated as he now prepares to make a huge call on his future.
When asked in the locker room about his timeline for making a decision, Kelce replied: ‘First things first, I just love this team. I’m proud of the way we finished this, even though it ended the way it did.
Kelce walks off the field at Allegiant Stadium Sunday. It’s unclear if it’ll be his last ever game
Kelce has plenty to think about away from the world of the NFL, with his fiancee Taylor Swift
‘Guys still showed up. Gave it their all and that’s all you can ask for, man. I’ve got so much love for this team, this organization and the people here so I’ll spend some time with them, go through exit meetings tomorrow, get close to the family and figure things out.
‘Who knows? Either it hits me quick or I’ve got to take some time. Last year was a little bit easier. I think I knew right away I wanted to give this one a shot. I don’t know. We’ll see.’
Asked if he felt he achieved what he wanted to when he decided to return this season, Kelce replied: ‘Obviously we didn’t do as well as a team but I feel like I came into the season prepared and ready to rock and roll with the right intentions.
‘The ball just didn’t go our way in a lot of those close games unfortunately and I think if I do choose to come back that’s something I’ve really got to focus on, making sure I’m available and ready for those moments.’
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