Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid offered another update on the Chiefs’ ongoing talks with Travis Kelce, discussing the communication as an indication that things are continuing to move forward.
"There is communication," Reid said of talks with Kelce in a piece written by Nate Taylor of ESPN. "That's the main thing. I've said this before: As long as there's communication, I'm good. That means people want to move forward. I think that's where Travis is."
That sort of word salad have characterized the comments of everyone in this situation. There was plenty of skepticism about Kelce coming back, especially with the was the Chiefs 6-11 season ended, but now momentum seems to be building toward a comeback.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is playing a large roll in this decision, too. He’s currently rehabbing from knee surgery, and that’s a part of Kelce’s thought process. No one wants to see one of the greatest quarterback/tight end combinations in NFL history go out this way, and Kelce made similar comments the year before after the Chiefs got trounced in the Super Bowl by the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I'm not trying to put words in his mouth at all, and I try to give him some space here," Reid added. "He's been doing this a long time, and he can sort all that out as he goes forward. But we're proceeding with that."
Kelce isn’t what he once was physically, but even at t age 36 he’s still a viable weapon. He led the Chiefs in targets (108), receptions (76), yards (851) touchdowns (5) and receiving first downs (45). The tight end’s base salary last season was $4.5 million, although his roster bonus was $12.5, according to Taylor.
Kelce’s comments have been non-commital to date, but if he does return, he’s be reunited with his old offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, who held that position with the Chiefs from 2018-2022. Bieniemy was hired to restore discipline to the offense, and to the team in general, as maddening penalties and untimely drops were a problem last season for the Chiefs.
Reid also commented about Mahomes, who’s taking his rehab very seriously. He’s been in the building for seven hours a day, according to Reid, and the quarterback has stated that he wants to play for the Chiefs’ opener, even though the recovery timeline for his injury would normally have him missing early games.
Whatever resolution happens with Kelce needs to happen soon. Kansas City restructured Mahomes contract this week to provide salary cap relief, and the team will know what Kelce’s money numbers will be going into free agency, not to mention the draft with the Chiefs having a top ten pick for the first time in years.