Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid has praised Travis Kelce’s offseason work but warned Taylor Swift’s boyfriend he will be given a similar role to last season when the NFL returns.

Kelce, who turns 36 in October, had been a major part of the Chiefs offense for a number of years and was the man quarterback Patrick Mahomes would often turn to at crucial moments.

But last season saw his opportunities and production decline and Kelce went on to post career lows in both yards (823) and touchdowns (3) during the regular season as he struggled to impact games.

He did, however, show his enduring quality with a dominant performance against the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs, scoring a touchdown and catching seven pᴀsses for 117 yards.

Then came the Super Bowl and Kelce, like the rest of his Chiefs teammates, was left shell shocked by the Philadelphia Eagles as they were annihilated in New Orleans. 

His performance that night and regular season form led many to suggest Kelce’s time in the NFL was up. But he quickly ended any talk of retirement by confirming he would return to Arrowhead Stadium for the 13th year of his illustrious career.

Andy Reid says Travis Kelce will be given a similar role to last season when the NFL returns

Reid has told Kelce he can expect similar usage to last season, despite being in ‘great shape’

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But Reid has now told Kelce he can expect similar usage to last season, despite being in ‘great shape’ ahead of training camp later this month.

‘It’ll be similar to last year,’ Reid said about Kelce’s role, according to ESPN.

‘He’s in great shape right now, so I think he’s looking forward to getting going. 

‘I always watch him. I always keep an eye on him. I know he’s getting older. He doesn’t know he’s getting older, but I do.

‘I can be the bad guy in some cases there, if needed. If I think it’s catching up to him a little bit, I’ll pull off and put him where he needs to be.

‘Other than that, he hasn’t showed me any of that yet. He’s done really well with it.’ 

The Chiefs should have more compeтιтion for targets next year with Rashee Rice to return from injury and Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown’s production expected to increase. 

But Kelce, who is entering the final year of a two-year, $34million contract extension he signed last year, still has a point to prove and recently refused to rule out playing a 14th season in the NFL in 2026.

Kelce recently refused to rule out playing a 14th season in the NFL at the team’s minicamp

Kelce insisted earlier this week that his full focus has been back on football this offseason

‘I got one year on this contract, I know that. And we’ll try to figure out something for next year,’ Kelce said after the second day of the Chiefs’ mandatory three-day minicamp in June.

‘The Chiefs organization knows how much I love them. I can’t see myself playing anywhere else,’ Kelce continued.

‘We’ll deal with (2026) down the road, when the time is right. But right now, I’m focused on winning a championship this year.’

A rejuvenated Kelce also insisted earlier this week that his full focus has been back on football this offseason after admitting he was too distracted by commitments away from the sport last year.

This offseason has been much more low-key for both Kelce and Swift, with the A-list couple only making a handful of significant public appearances while largely trying to keep out of the spotlight.

‘I think the biggest thing is you kind of refocus on where your attention is in the offseason,’ he said on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast amid his preparations for the 2025 campaign.

‘I think last year, and really the past three years, I’ve had a lot of attention on taking a step away from football to figure out what I’m doing afterwards and make sure I set that up and I’m setting myself up for the future.

‘I’ve kind of always had that mentality in the offseason, but I took on bigger projects. This year I kind of put all that to the side and I’m like “Man, I’m going into the last year of my contract, 13th year… I’m going to make this dream that I’ve always had the best it’s ever been.”

‘I think I failed last year in a lot of different ways for my guys on the field, in terms of being a leader and being prepared and ready to rock. [But] I’m motivated to be accountable for the guys man.’