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Andy Reid has spent almost his entire adult life coaching. For more than the past quarter-century, Reid has patrolled the sidelines as an NFL head coach, first guiding the Philadelphia Eagles and now leading the Kansas City Chiefs.
Reid cemented his legacy in Kansas City with three Super Bowl titles, but his age, Patrick Mahomes’ season-ending ACL injury and the uncertainty surrounding Travis Kelce’s future have fueled speculation that he could step away as early as 2026.
Despite those factors — including the Chiefs missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014 — it appears Reid wants to keep coaching in 2026, NFL Network reported Saturday.
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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid speaks during a press conference before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
“People who know Reid well say he has given no indication he wants to walk away at age 67. For the first time in years, he will finally have a full offseason to recharge. As one person close to him said, ‘Coach Reid doesn’t go out like this,'” the outlet reported.
CHIEFS QB PATRICK MAHOMES EYEING WEEK 1 RETURN IN 2026 AFTER ACL SURGERY
While Reid’s return to the sidelines seems likely, the continuity of the rest of the coaching staff is still less certain. Matt Nagy, in his second stint as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, is in the final year of his contract.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reacts to a touchdown in the second half against the Chicago Bears at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on August 22, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today Sports)
Shortly before Mahomes underwent surgery to address injuries to his left ACL and LCL, Reid expressed confidence in the quarterback’s mindset regarding his rehab approach.
“He’s going to attack it like he does everything else,” Reid said of Mahomes’ upcoming rehab. “There’s been some pretty good quarterbacks that have had the same injury and they’ve done pretty well after they’ve come back. He’s going to get after it and he’s got good people here to rehabilitate him. He’s going to be right on top of it all.
“As long as the surgery goes well, as expected, I would expect a fairly quick recovery for him just because of those factors.”
Kelce faced questions about retirement last season. He sparked more questions about his NFL future after he became less confident about his playing prospects in 2025 following the Chiefs’ loss to the Eagles in February’s Super Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, left, instructs tight end Travis Kelce (87) and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports)
But a few weeks later, ESPN host Pat McAfee revealed that Kelce sent him a message confirming he would return in 2025, which said, “I’m definitely coming back.”
Kelce, 36, has appeared in all 14 games so far this season and has amassed 797 receiving yards on 67 catches. The receptions match Kelce’s career low from 2014, his first full season in the NFL. But he still has three more games to add to his totals.
Kelce was drafted in 2013, but a preseason knee injury sidelined him for nearly his entire rookie season aside from limited action on special teams. The 2023 season broke Kelce’s streak of seven consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
Reid and the Chiefs visit Nashville on Sunday for a Week 16 matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
