Andy Reid surprised by Travis Kelce’s change: “Had some adventures this offseason”

Although the Kansas City Chiefs reached the Super Bowl for the fifth time in six years in the 2024 NFL season, the general consensus was that Travis Kelce didn’t have the greatest of years, particularly in comparison to recent seasons.

The tight end’s fiercest critics argued he had become more concerned with being seen out and about with Taylor Swift than his on-field accomplishments, and intense speculation surrounding his potential retirement followed his disappointing display at Super Bowl LIX, which the Chiefs convincingly lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Travis Kelce ready to bounce back after retirement rumors

At one stage, Kelce himself even hinted that he could be about to call time on his NFL career. However, the 35-year-old will be taking up his usual place in the Kansas City lineup when the 2025 season gets underway in September. Much to the delight of head coach Andy Reid, who is full of praise for how Kelce has gotten himself ready for his 13th season in the NFL.

Speaking during the Chiefs’ media availability on July 24, Reid claimed the veteran star had been rolling back the years in practice, weeks after the player himself revealed he had lost 25 pounds in the offseason, the majority of which he spent “having some adventures” by Swift’s side.

“This year, I got some time to work on some form running and some things early on in the offseason that I just didn’t have time for last year,” Kelce explained at a press conference in June. ”I’m certainly feeling good, and hopefully it’ll pay off.”

Chiefs coach Reid praises “svelte” Kelce: “Like he’s 20″

Reid clearly thinks so already.

“He’s svelte right now. He looks like he’s 20,” the Chiefs head coach enthused. “He’s doing a great job. He’s in great shape. And I’m not sure, he didn’t come in first during the whole conditioning thing, but he was right up front.

“You can see he’s been working out. You saw him yesterday on the long run where he had the burst. He’s done a nice job. He’s worked hard to get to this spot.”

Kelce’s Chiefs contract

Kelce’s current Chiefs contract expires at the end of the 2025 season, so expect plenty more retirement talk between now and then.

“I don’t know what next year’s going to feel like, I don’t know what I’m going to feel like in March or April next year,” Kelce said on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast on July 1.

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